Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals (ARWR) said Tuesday it has requested regulatory clearance from New Zealand's Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority to conduct a phase 1/2a clinical trial of ARO-DIMER-PA to treat patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to mixed hyperlipidemia.

Mixed hyperlipidemia patients have elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the company said, adding that it is the leading cause of death in the world.

The company said the trial, if approved, will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and effects of ARO-DIMER-PA on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels.