Akcea Therapeutics Inc's Business Segments
Akcea Therapeutics Inc's reported revenue by business segment and by geographic region, quarterly and annual, normalized against the consolidated income statement. Free below: the top 3 rows per table, this quarter and this fiscal year. Subscriber access adds the full segment history and operating income by segment.
Akcea Therapeutics Inc does not report a distinct business-segment axis in its filings - its disaggregated revenue is disclosed by product and service category instead. See the Product & Service breakdown below.
Revenue by Product & Service Category - FY
- Product73.1%
- Research and Development and License Revenue Under Collaborative Agreement26.9%
- Licensing Revenue and Research and Development and License Revenue Under Collaborative Agreement25.6%
Revenue by Product & Service Category - FY
| Category | Revenue (Millions) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Product | $ 16 | 73.1% |
| Research and Development and License Revenue Under Collaborative Agreement | $ 6 | 26.9% |
| Licensing Revenue and Research and Development and License Revenue Under Collaborative Agreement | $ 6 | 25.6% |
Product and service categories are a supplemental disclosure and are not required to sum to consolidated revenue or to the reportable segments above.
Description of Akcea Therapeutics Inc
Akcea has a robust pipeline of potential drugs that target specific rare diseases, including those related to lipid metabolism, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and rare genetic disorders. In 2019, the company received its first drug approval, TEGSEDI, for the treatment of hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis, a rare and fatal genetic disease.
The company's main product, WAYLIVRA (Volanesorsen), is a treatment for people with Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS), a rare genetic condition that affects the body's ability to break down fats. WAYLIVRA has received approval from the European Commission, and the company is awaiting approval from the US FDA.
Akcea's drug development platform is built upon Ionis Pharmacuticals' proprietary antisense technology, which targets RNA of specific genes to reduce the production of harmful proteins that cause diseases. This technology has been validated in the market through the success of Ionis' drugs, including Spinraza, a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy.
The company has partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to develop and commercialize its products, including Novartis for TEGSEDI and Bayer for WAYLIVRA.
Overall, Akcea Therapeutics is committed to bringing new treatment options to patients with rare and underserved diseases, leveraging the cutting-edge antisense technology platform of its parent company, Ionis Pharmaceuticals.
Segments
Akcea Therapeutics operates across several key segments within the healthcare industry:
1. Cardiovascular Diseases:
- Overview: This segment primarily addresses severe and rare forms of cardiovascular diseases that present significant challenges for patients and healthcare providers. Akcea focuses on conditions characterized by abnormal lipid metabolism and associated complications.
- Key Conditions:
- Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS): A rare genetic disorder leading to excessively high triglyceride levels, making patients vulnerable to severe pancreatitis and other cardiovascular issues.
- Hypertriglyceridemia: A condition marked by elevated triglyceride levels in the blood, which can lead to cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes.
2. Neurology:
- Overview: The neurology segment is dedicated to addressing genetic diseases that have a devastating impact on the nervous system. Akcea is particularly focused on developing therapies for specific neurodegenerative conditions.
- Key Condition:
- Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis (hATTR): A hereditary disorder caused by the accumulation of amyloid proteins, affecting nerve function and leading to conditions such as neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and cardiac issues.
3. Rare Diseases:
- Overview: Akcea Therapeutics is committed to the treatment of rare diseases that often lack adequate treatment options. This segment highlights the companys focus on delivering advanced therapies that can improve the quality of life for patients with life-limiting conditions.
- Key Focus Areas: The company explores treatment modalities that target the underlying causes of rare genetic disorders, providing therapeutic options that may not otherwise be available.
Products and Services
Akcea Therapeutics boasts a diverse product portfolio, offering several innovative therapies along with a suite of services that support drug discovery and development.
1. TEGSEDI (Inotersen):
- Indication: TEGSEDI is indicated for the treatment of patients with Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis (hATTR), where it aims to reduce the production of the harmful transthyretin protein.
- Mechanism of Action: This medication is an RNA-targeted therapy that employs a novel approach to decrease the levels of misfolded proteins that contribute to disease progression.
- Administration: TEGSEDI is administered via subcutaneous injection, providing patients with an alternative to intravenous therapies.
2. WAYLIVRA (Volanesorsen):
- Indication: WAYLIVRA is specifically designed to treat Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS). It helps manage triglyceride levels in patients with this rare genetic disorder.
- Mechanism of Action: Similar to TEGSEDI, WAYLIVRA is an RNA-targeted therapy that interferes with the production of apolipoprotein C-III, a protein that inhibits the breakdown of triglycerides.
- Administration: This therapy is also given through subcutaneous injection, emphasizing patient-friendly administration.
3. TriCor (Fenofibrate):
- Indication: In Japan, Akcea Therapeutics markets TriCor as a treatment option for Hypertriglyceridemia.
- Mechanism of Action: TriCor helps to reduce triglyceride levels by increasing the activity of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that breaks down triglycerides in the bloodstream.
- Formulation: Available in tablet form, TriCor provides an established treatment option for patients with elevated triglyceride levels.
4. Comprehensive Services:
- Drug Discovery and Development: Akcea Therapeutics engages in extensive research and development initiatives, focusing on discovering new drug candidates and advancing them through clinical trials.
- Clinical Trial Conduct: The company implements rigorous clinical trial protocols to assess the safety and efficacy of its therapies in targeted patient populations.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: Akcea collaborates with other biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and research organizations to enhance its pipeline and expedite the development of new treatments.
- Patient Support Programs: The company provides educational resources and support services to help patients understand their conditions and the therapies available to them.
Conclusion
In summary, Akcea Therapeutics Inc. is a vital player in the biopharmaceutical industry, dedicated to developing innovative treatments for serious and rare diseases. With a focus on cardiovascular and neurological conditions, the companys products such as TEGSEDI and WAYLIVRA offer hope to patients suffering from challenging genetic disorders. Moreover, through its comprehensive services and commitment to research, Akcea plays an essential role in advancing treatments that significantly impact patient outcomes, making it a key contributor to addressing unmet medical needs.
