New Drug IC7Fc Shows Promise in Combating Both Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes
Melbourne/Leiden (pte002/06.11.2025/06:05) - A novel experimental drug,IC7Fc,developed jointly by researchers at Monash University and Leiden University Hospital,demonstrates a dual benefit: reducing the risk of heart disease and fighting type 2 diabetes. Testing on mice with cardiovascular diseases revealed the drug lowers cholesterol levels and prevents inflammation.
IC7Fc, an artificial protein, mimics the body’s interleukin-6 signaling but without triggering harmful inflammation. Rather, it regulates metabolism and promotes tissue repair. Researchers found that mice treated solely with IC7Fc exhibited the lowest levels of arterial plaque buildup and maintained safe insulin levels, alongside minimal inflammation, when fed a cholesterol-rich diet for seven weeks.The study compared IC7Fc’s effects against a statin, both IC7Fc and a statin, and a placebo.
The development comes as forecasts predict over 1.3 billion people worldwide will be affected by type 2 diabetes by 2050, a disease frequently occurring alongside cardiovascular disease - the leading cause of death globally.
“Previous studies had already shown that IC7Fc can help in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disease,” stated Mark Febbraio from the University of Melbourne. “Our new study shows that it can also reduce atherosclerosis. It slows the deposition of fats in the arteries, which threaten the supply of oxygen to the heart by inhibiting blood flow.”
IC7Fc is currently experimental and not yet approved for use.