Cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism (CVRM) diseases are a major global health challenge, with estimates suggesting they may contribute to around 21 million deaths annually worldwide.1 Despite their widespread impact, these interconnected conditions are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated,2,3 and their economic burden is projected to reach approximately $28 trillion by 2030.4
At AstraZeneca, we are committed to addressing this urgent challenge. We recognise that current approaches may not fully capture the complexities of CVRM diseases. Our research focuses on exploring these interconnections with the aim of developing comprehensive solutions that have the potential to improve patient outcomes.
We are actively working to translate our insights into innovative therapies. Our ambition is to contribute to a shift in the management of CVRM diseases – aiming not only to manage symptoms but also to address the underlying disease processes. Working together, our mission is to reduce the impact of these conditions and improve lives globally.
Patients deserve better cardiovascular, renal and metabolism disease care
CVRM diseases, which include heart failure, dyslipidaemia, obesity, hypertension, amyloidosis, and chronic kidney disease, are complex and interconnected.5,6,7 By 2040 these diseases and their comorbidities are predicted to account for four of the seven top causes of death globally, with one disease often exacerbating the other.5,7,8
At AstraZeneca, we are working to save lives and improve outcomes for the millions of people living with the complexities of these diseases. We are focused on detecting, diagnosing, and treating people earlier to help stop disease progression and improve long-term patient outcomes.
Our scientific journey in CVRM is revealing a paradigm shift in how we view these diseases. No longer isolated conditions, we now see a network of interrelated factors influencing cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic health. This science-driven perspective is guiding our efforts to develop targeted interventions that could revolutionise how we prevent, manage, and potentially reverse the progression of these chronic diseases.
Building a pipeline of new technologies and modalities
Our CVRM ambition to transform patient outcomes through novel medicines and combinations is a crucial element of AstraZeneca's strategy. This goal directly supports our company's ambitious target to launch 20 new medicines by 2030. We are determined to deliver the next-wave of innovation in cardiorenal and cardiometabolic diseases through novel small molecules, drug combinations, nucleotide therapeutics, and advanced biologics that may help to slow and stop disease and address risk factors.
Aiming to slow and stop cardiorenal disease progression and protect vital organs with novel treatment strategies
AstraZeneca is taking a precision medicine approach in systemic, and ultimately fatal cardiac conditions, such as amyloid transthyretin amyloidosis, to halt disease progression and improve patient quality of life. We are also exploring novel combinations of industry-leading medicines with complementary mechanisms to serve specific patient populations including those at high-risk of disease progression or death, such as patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease who cannot currently fully benefit from guideline treatments.
Addressing major risk factors in cardiometabolic diseases
As so many cardiovascular, renal and metabolism diseases are interconnected, one disease will often exacerbate another. For example, dyslipidaemia, defined as abnormal blood lipid levels,9 is commonly linked to elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), often known as high cholesterol and a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease.9 This is a significant public health concern estimated to cause 4.4 million deaths per year,10 and one-third of ischaemic heart disease deaths.11,12
To improve patient outcomes and reach even more at-risk groups, we’re targeting the underlying drivers of disease, exploring new small molecules with the potential to be administered as monotherapies or in fixed-dose combinations (FDC) with other treatments, including our broader CVRM portfolio.
Hypertension
Tackling overlooked drivers of disease to deliver a new approach to addressing resistant hypertension, filling a critical gap for patients who remain at high cardiovascular risk despite multiple medications.
Weight management
Aiming to deliver durable weight loss that addresses cardiometabolic risk and protects organs. With multiple assets under investigation, from small molecules that offer the potential for combination to those with a triple mechanism approach, our aim is to improve the quality of weight loss and manage key comorbidities.
Dyslipidaemia
A vast majority of patients remain uncontrolled despite standard-of-care,13 so we are targeting multiple pathways where through new small molecules with distinct modes of action, alone or in FDCs, we can optimise treatment regimens and achieve greater reductions.
AstraZeneca is uniquely positioned to improve outcomes for people living with CVRM diseases. Our pioneering science has already delivered industry-leading medicines, helping countless people worldwide. Now we are developing the next wave of innovations to bring new treatment options and ensure no patient is left behind. By 2030 we aim to be the global leader in CVRM therapies, introducing up to 15 new medicines that could improve the lives of millions of patients and reduce the burden of these silent killers.
Changing the course of medical practice
While there are multiple treatments available, achieving treatment goals remains a challenge for many individuals with CVRM diseases, leaving them at ongoing risk of potentially life-threatening events, such as a stroke. More than half of those living with hypertension globally are above blood pressure targets – even when taking two or more medications14 – while 70% of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) do not reach their LDL-C targets despite treatment with statins.13 The limitations patients experience with current treatments underscore the pressing need for innovation in CVRM and for a paradigm shift in how we treat these complex and interconnected diseases.
Our ambition is to help transform medical practice in CVRM by building collaborative connections and developing innovative therapies that improve the management of these conditions, with the goal of enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life for millions.
At AstraZeneca, our scientists are working diligently to build a robust pipeline featuring a diverse range of novel mechanisms and combination approaches. With numerous therapies and treatment combinations in clinical development, we aim to advance care and provide clinicians with a comprehensive range of therapeutic options designed to meet patient needs.
