DRL-21995

DRL-21995 is an investigational extended-release formulation of niacin (nicotinic acid) developed by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories for the treatment of hyperlipidaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia. It functions by inhibiting hepatic diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2) and acting as an agonist at the hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 1 (HCAR1/GPR109A) in adipose tissue. These actions reduce the mobilization of free fatty acids to the liver, thereby decreasing the synthesis of triglycerides and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), which ultimately lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. DRL-21995 was evaluated in Phase I clinical trials to compare its safety, pharmacokinetics, and vasodilatory effects (flushing) against the reference product Niaspan.