Arrowhead’s REDEMPLO Gains NHS Access for Rare Cholesterol Disorder

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals has announced that adults living with familial chylomicronaemia syndrome (FCS) in England and Wales will have access to REDEMPLO (plozasiran), a new treatment designed to lower dangerously high levels of triglycerides in the blood. The announcement, made on October 27, 2026, follows UK marketing authorisation and a recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for NHS funding in eligible patients.

REDEMPLO is intended for adults with FCS whose triglyceride levels remain high despite following a suitable diet and using conventional treatments. NICE recommends it as an option for adults with genetically confirmed FCS, subject to a commercial agreement. The UK marketing authorisation also covers patients diagnosed using clinical criteria.

FCS is a rare inherited metabolic disorder that causes extremely high levels of triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood. The condition can increase the risk of acute pancreatitis, a serious and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. People with FCS often need to follow a very low-fat diet to help manage their condition.

REDEMPLO works by targeting apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III), a protein produced in the liver that slows the breakdown and removal of triglycerides from the blood. The medicine uses RNA interference (RNAi) technology to reduce the production of this protein, helping lower triglyceride levels.

The treatment is given as a 25 mg injection under the skin once every three months, alongside dietary management. This dosing schedule may offer a practical option for patients who need long-term treatment for the condition.

The approval was supported by results from the Phase 3 PALISADE study, which included 75 adults with genetically confirmed or clinically diagnosed FCS. In the study, patients receiving the recommended 25 mg dose experienced a significant reduction in fasting triglyceride levels compared with those receiving a placebo after 10 months.

The findings showed a median triglyceride reduction of around 80% from baseline in patients receiving plozasiran, compared with a 17% reduction in the placebo group. The study also found fewer episodes of acute pancreatitis among patients treated with REDEMPLO.

Arrowhead said the new NHS treatment option could help address an important unmet need for people living with FCS, who have historically had limited treatment choices. The company is also working to expand access to plozasiran in other European markets.

The marketing authorisation applies across the UK, but the NICE funding recommendation covers England and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate process for validating NICE guidance, while reimbursement decisions in Scotland are considered separately.

The development represents an important step in bringing RNAi-based medicines to people with rare metabolic diseases and expanding treatment options for adults who struggle to control triglyceride levels through diet and conventional therapies.