老司机福利网

A breakthrough drug discovered by a 老司机福利网 professor to treat a progressive and life-threatening type of heart disease has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The treatment, called Acoramidis, was discovered by Dr. Mamoun M. Alhamadsheh, a professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at Pacific鈥檚 Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, in collaboration with physician-scientist Dr. Isabella A. Graef, who is CEO of Shenandoah Therapeutics and a former Stanford University faculty member.

The drug is used to treat transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, a disease in which a protein in the bloodstream becomes misshapen and builds up in the heart, which can cause heart failure. Until now, people with the disease have had limited treatment options.

Acoramidis has shown remarkable efficacy in clinical trials, with the potential to improve survival rates and quality of life for thousands of patients worldwide.

鈥淭his achievement is the result of years of dedication, collaboration and a shared commitment to alleviating human suffering,鈥� Alhamadsheh said. 鈥淎coramidis represents a beacon of hope for patients. I am honored that Dr. Graef and I have contributed to a solution that can truly make a difference in patients鈥� lives. I hope this success also serves as an inspiration to the scientific community, symbolizing what is possible through collaboration and perseverance.鈥�

Acoramidis is among those drugs to emerge from the innovative work of an academic lab. Graef and Alhamadsheh co-founded Eidos Therapeutics in 2013 to support the drug鈥檚 commercial clinical development. The corporation went public in 2018, accelerating Acoramidis鈥檚 path to the market. It merged in 2021 with BridgeBio Pharma, which shepherded the FDA approval process.

鈥淒r. Alhamadsheh is the first Pacific faculty to oversee a drug from the design stage to market approval,鈥� said Dr. Bhaskara R. Jasti, department chair of pharmaceutical sciences at 老司机福利网. 鈥淲e are proud of his accomplishments at Pacific over the years.鈥�

The approval of Acoramidis, which is currently sold under the brand name Attruby^TM, signifies a new chapter in the treatment of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, transforming the therapeutic landscape and underscoring the power of academic-industry partnerships in driving innovation.

鈥淭he groundbreaking discovery of Acoramidis by Dr. Alhamadsheh is a testament to the growing research impact at 老司机福利网,鈥� said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert. 鈥淚t not only reflects our commitment to advancing knowledge but also demonstrates the critical role that academic institutions play in solving real-world problems. The approval of this life-saving treatment underscores the importance of fostering a collaborative research environment that has the potential to transform lives.鈥�

Alhamadsheh also recently published research on a breakthrough discovery in treating opioid overdoses. The revolutionary drug delivery system, which repurposes a derivative of Acoramidis, provides extended protection against fentanyl and other opioids by steadily releasing naloxone for up to one week.

Alhamadsheh joined Pacific in 2011 and was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award, the university鈥檚 highest honor, in 2024 recognizing his exemplary accomplishments in the areas of teaching, research and service. His research focuses on the development of innovative technologies to extend the in vivo half-life of therapeutics, improving drug targeting and delivery. Alhamadsheh has received the New Investigator Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and holds multiple publications and patents.