Ionis Pharmaceuticals and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals have found a common cause amid their emerging rivalry. While preparing to go head to head in a rare disease market, the companies have signed up to be the top two sponsors of the newly launched National Triglyceride Alliance (NTA). 

The biotechs are both targeting conditions characterized by elevated triglyceride levels in the blood. Ionis won FDA approval for its antisense oligonucleotide Tryngolza late last year, and the FDA is reviewing Arrowhead’s application for approval of RNAi therapy plozasiran in the same indication. Both companies are also working to bring their molecules to market in another indication in which elevated triglycerides drive disease.

While Ionis and Arrowhead are in direct competition, that rivalry gives the companies shared interest. Enter the NTA. The working group will “offer educational programs, clinical resources and ongoing initiatives aimed at improving understanding and treatment strategies for high triglycerides,” according to Friday’s launch announcement.

Ionis is a founding sponsor of the NTA, Arrowhead is a national sponsor and Amarin, which sells Vascepa for use in certain adults with elevated triglycerides, has come on board as a local sponsor. The NTA lists the founder, national and local sponsorship levels at $250,000, $50,000 and $15,000, respectively.

The NTA plans to work with the American Society for Preventive Cardiology and other organizations with shared objectives to “provide evidence-based education, expert-driven resources and clinical guidance to healthcare providers.” Through such initiatives, the NTA is aiming to give healthcare professionals the education and tools to effectively manage patients with high triglyceride levels. 

Ionis and Arrowhead are also working independently to lay the foundations for sales growth. With FDA approval in the bag, Ionis recently kicked off Tryngolza campaigns aimed at patients and healthcare professionals. 

Arrowhead, meanwhile, is yet to win approval but began priming the market last year with “We’ll Get There Soon,” a push to spread the word about the importance of treating patients with triglycerides above 500 mg/dL.