There’s a new cholesterol fighting sheriff in town, called “Praluent”. The first of a class of drugs called PCSK9s (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9) Inhibitors. These are biological type substances, cloned in a laboratory, that act to shut down the cholesterol processing machinery on the outside of cells. They’re derivatives of a type of chemical called an “Anti-Body”, a science fiction like component of the body’s immune (defense) system that can be thought of as a high tech biochemical weapon - Biology’s versions of seek and destroy missiles.

Over the past ten years, pharmaceutical companies have figured out how to economically produce these chemical weapons, colloquially referred to a “Biologics”. The idea is that by targeting specific problem causing biochemicals for destruction, troublesome symptoms can be reduced. The two best-selling PCSK9s, biologics Humira and Embrel, are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They work by targeting and destroying the inflammatory factors that are associated with joint deterioration and muscle pain. The third bestselling biologic Remicade aims for inflammatory factors in the colon and is used to treat Crohn’s Disease. Other biologics are used to treat Cancer, Psoriasis and neurological conditions. Research engines at pharmaceutical companies are firing on all cylinders searching feverishly for the next biologic blockbuster.