Semmelweis Uni, Novartis Launch Cutting-Edge Lipid Management Center

The official announcement of the center was attended by Deputy State Secretary for Health Policy Judit Bidló of the Ministry of Interior, Rector of Semmelweis University Dr. Béla Merkely, Deputy State Secretary for Innovation László Bódis, and Colette Matz, country president of Novartis Hungary.

The university, the Ministry of Culture and Innovation and Technology, and Novartis Hungary Ltd. signed a tripartite cooperation agreement in spring 2022 that aims to enhance the role of healthcare and digital-technical innovation in public health. The three pillars of the framework are the digitalization of clinical research and increasing access to it, securing Hungary’s leading role in cell and gene therapies, and launching a national cardiovascular public health program.

A significant proportion of cardiovascular diseases are caused by atherosclerosis. This group of diseases includes heart attacks and strokes. In Hungary, every second death related to cardiovascular disease is due to atherosclerosis. In contrast, in the European Union, every third death can be attributed to this group of diseases, meaning Hungary is disproportionately affected.

Evidence strongly suggests that “bad cholesterol,” more formally known as LDL cholesterol, plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis. Elevated levels of LDL cholesterol lead to the calcification and narrowing of the arteries, potentially resulting in heart attacks or strokes. It is well known that effectively lowering cholesterol levels can prevent, or even reverse, the narrowing of the arteries and thus prevent strokes or heart attacks.

LDL cholesterol levels are influenced primarily by genetic factors and lifestyle. According to evidence-based international professional recommendations, cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerosis can be effectively prevented by reducing LDL cholesterol levels to specific target values. Today, revolutionary and highly effective drugs are available to lower bad cholesterol levels, but lifestyle changes are equally important.

Colette Matz, country president of Novartis Hungary

Most at Risk

As part of the triparty cooperation, the Semmelweis Lipid Center was established with a dual purpose. The first goal involves data analysis, mapping representative cholesterol levels across Hungary by region, gender, age subgroup, and existing comorbidities. The essence is to identify patient groups most at risk from atherosclerosis.

In addition, by examining the LDL cholesterol levels of several thousand heart attack patients visiting the Városmajor Heart and Vascular Clinic at Semmelweis University, researchers plan to map correlations that allow for new interventions to be implemented as soon as possible to achieve the international professional recommendation targets for LDL cholesterol levels more effectively.

Prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are essential as these diseases affect one in five people in Hungary and cause the deaths of about 60,000 people here annually.

“The Hungarian Government is so committed to the more effective treatment of cardiovascular diseases and the care of our compatriots living with heart disease that we have made the fight against cardiovascular diseases and the adoption of a European action plan a key priority for our upcoming EU presidency,” Bidló, of the interior ministry, explains.

“In the János Neumann Program, we have set a goal of close cooperation between universities and research institutes, as well as the corporate sector, so that joint developments can generate real social and economic impact. The cooperation between Semmelweis University and Novartis exemplifies this, thus serving as a model for other players in the innovation ecosystem,” the culture and innovation ministry’s Bódis adds.

Deputy State Secretary for Health Policy Judit Bidló

Unique Approach

“The second goal of the Semmelweis Lipid Center is to examine the effectiveness of a new, unique, comprehensive approach targeting patients proven to suffer from coronary artery calcification,” notes university rector Merkely. “In our center, based on a carefully developed protocol, patients not only receive combined, innovative drug therapy but also personalized lifestyle, dietary, and psychological counseling. Our goal is to examine how much we can reduce the calcification of the neck, leg, and coronary arteries within two years with this approach,” he adds.

The fact that Hungary assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months on July 1 provides an excellent opportunity to extend the exemplary lipid treatment research project of Semmelweis University and Novartis to the EU level, those involved say.

“We welcome the decision that the Hungarian government has prioritized cardiovascular health on the EU agenda and initiated the adoption of EU legislation for a European-level action plan,” says Matz of Novartis Hungary.

“Hungary is one of the countries where we can cooperate with the best experts. We collaborate with Semmelweis University in several areas, and it is a great joy for us to support the achievement of Hungarian cardiovascular health policy goals through research programs that identify the best possible care methods for those suffering from cardiovascular diseases. In addition, our screening programs focus on prevention to also contribute to improving the health of Hungarians,” she adds.

Novartis says it remains committed to establishing collaborations that, through public and private sector partnerships, provide practical solutions to society’s most significant health problems.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of May 17, 2024.