Blood protein increases heart disease risk (UK)

"A protein in the blood has been found to be associated with the same increased risk of heart disease as high blood pressure and cholesterol. Analysis of data from 79,000 people showed the protein, known as Lp-PLA2, also boosts the risk of stroke and early death, the Lancet reports. Drugs against the protein, which is involved in inflammation in blood vessels, are already being developed. But it remains to be seen whether such treatments cut rates of heart disease. The UK researchers who led the international study said Lp-PLA2 is carried in the blood alongside LDL or "bad" cholesterol" - BBC

GSK starting huge study on new type of heart drug

Drugmaker "GlaxoSmithKline PLC is making a big investment in a new type of drug for the gigantic heart disease market, announcing Thursday it is starting a 15,000-patient, late-stage study of its experimental compound darapladib. The drug is meant to keep plaque deposits in heart arteries stable, so they don't rupture - the top cause of heart attacks and strokes. If approved, this would be the first drug in a new class that inhibits an enzyme called Lp-PLA2, Patrick Vallance, head of drug discovery at the British pharmaceutical company, told The Associated Press"