eplontersen

An antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting transthyretin (TTR) that is conjugated to three N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) residues, which can be used in the treatment of polyneuropathy of hereditary TTR-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR amyloidosis). Upon subcutaneous administration, eplontersen targets and binds to messenger RNA (mRNA) for both variant and wild-type forms of TTR inside liver cells, thereby inhibiting translation of both mutant and wild-type TTR. Inhibition of TTR protein synthesis lowers TTR blood levels and decreases the amount of and/or prevents TTR amyloid deposits, which accumulate in and cause damage to various body organs and tissues. ATTR is caused by mutations in the TTR gene, which lead to TTR protein misfolding. Misfolded wild-type and mutant forms of TTR protein accumulate in tissues as amyloid deposits in most ATTR patients. The GalNAc residues enable delivery of the ASO to hepatocytes.