EP2302

EP2302 is a novel small molecule squalene synthase inhibitor characterized by its hypolipidemic, antiatherosclerotic, and antioxidant properties. It targets the first committed step in the sterol biosynthesis pathway by inhibiting farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1 (FDFT1), thereby reducing cholesterol production. Research indicates that EP2302 significantly increases the protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in endothelial cells, which may contribute to its protective role in atherosclerosis-related diseases, although it does not appear to directly alter the enzyme's catalytic activity. The compound was developed by Elpen Pharmaceutical and has been studied alongside its sibling compound, EP2306.