Rationale and Design of the Further cardiovascular OUtcomes Research with PCSK9

Inhibition in subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER) Trial

Marc S. Sabatine, MD, MPH,a Robert P. Giugliano, MD, SM,a Anthony Keech, MD,b

Narimon Honarpour, MD, PhD,c Huei Wang, PhD,c Thomas Liu, PhD,c

Scott M. Wasserman, MD,c Robert Scott, MD,c Peter S. Sever, MD,d Terje R. Pedersen, MDe

aTIMI Study Group, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

bSydney Medical School, NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, AustraliacAmgen, Thousand Oaks, CAdInternational Centre for Circulatory Health, Imperial College London, London, United KingdomeOslo University Hospital, Ullevål and Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Norway

FOURIER is funded by Amgen

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01764633

Word count: 5650 (includes references, abstract, tables)

Abstract word count: 241

1

Abstract

Background: Despite current therapies, patients with vascular disease remain at high risk for

major adverse cardiovascular events. LDL-C is a well-established modifiable cardiovascular risk

factor. Evolocumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody inhibitor of proprotein convertase

subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) that reduces LDL-C by approximately 60% across various

populations.

Study Design: FOURIER is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group,

multinational trial testing the hypothesis that adding evolocumab to statin therapy will reduce the

incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with clinically evident vascular

disease. The study population consists of 27,564 patients who have had either an MI, an ischemic

stroke or symptomatic peripheral artery disease and have an LDL ≥70 mg/dL or a non-HDL-C

≥100 mg/dL on an optimized statin regimen. Patients are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive

either evolocumab (either 140 mg SC every 2 weeks or 420 mg SC every month, according to

patient preference) or matching placebo injections. The primary endpoint is major cardiovascular

events defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, hospitalization for unstable

angina, or coronary revascularization. The key secondary endpoint is the composite of

cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke. The trial is planned to continue until 1630 patients

experience the secondary endpoint, thereby providing 90% power to detect a relative reduction

of 15% or more in this endpoint.

Conclusions: FOURIER will determine whether the addition of evolocumab to statin therapy

reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with vascular disease.

2

Introduction

Despite advances in treatment, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity

and mortality worldwide and is projected to cause >22 million deaths over the next 15 years.1

Cholesterol, in particular low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well-established risk

factor for cardiovascular disease. Moreover, LDL-C has proven to be a modifiable risk factor

with a very large body of evidence demonstrating the benefit of LDL-C lowering. Specifically,

there is clear evidence from over 2 dozen trials of statins involving over 160,000 subjects in total

with a median follow-up of approximately 5 years that each 1 mmoL lowering of LDL-C reduces

the risk of major cardiovascular events by approximately 22%.2

Similar clinical benefit has also been demonstrated for non-statin LDL-C lowering

medications such as resins, niacin, and fibrates, when they have been studied in a patient

population in whom they meaningfully lowered LDL-C.3-5 Data from Mendelian randomization

studies recapitulate this relationship, in which there is a log-linear relationship between the LDL-

C lowering associated with genetic variants in multiple different genes and the risk reduction in

cardiovascular disease.6

Recently, the IMPROVE-IT trial showed that in patients recently stabilized after an acute

coronary syndrome, the addition of the cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe to statin

therapy reduced major adverse cardiovascular events.7 Ezetimibe decreased LDL-C by

approximately 20% (from 70 to 54 mg/dL) and the magnitude of clinical risk reduction with

ezetimibe was consistent with the reduction expected to be produced from that degree of LDL-C

lowering by a statin. Notably, though, was the observation that even in the ezetimibe plus statin

arm, in which patients were also well-treated with the standard evidence-based cardiovascular

medicines, the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events exceeded 30% at 7 years. Thus there

3

remains an important unmet need for further reduction in adverse cardiovascular outcomes,

which may be achievable by more potent LDL-C lowering in high-risk patients.

Evolocumab

LDL receptors (LDL-R) on hepatocytes clear circulating LDL-C from the blood. The

LDL-R is typically able to recycle back to the cell surface over 100 times.8 However, when

proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is bound to the LDL-R, the LDL-R is

targeted for degradation within the lysosome.9 A seminal finding was that loss-of-function

mutations in PCSK9 resulted in lower circulating LDL-C levels and considerable protection from

the development of coronary heart disease.10 This observation suggested that PCSK9 inhibitors

might similarly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Evolocumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that has been studied extensively in

phase 2 and 3 lipid-lowering trials. At doses of either 140 mg every 2 weeks or 420 mg every

month, typically achieves approximately a 60% reduction in LDL cholesterol irrespective of

whether it is used as monotherapy, added to statins or added to statins plus other agents.11-15

Evolocumab also has similarly favorable effects on other atherogenic lipoproteins such as apo-B

and it decreases Lp(a) by approximately 30%.16, 17 In addition, evolocumab was generally well

tolerated in these trials, without major adverse effects.

Herein we describe the design of the Further cardiovascular OUtcomes Research with

PCSK9 Inhibition in subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER) trial. This phase III trial, registered

at www.clinicaltrials.gov under number NCT01764633, is designed to test the clinical efficacy

and safety of evolocumab when added to a statin in patients with clinically evident vascular

disease.

4

Study design and population

FOURIER is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group,

multinational trial (Figure 1) evaluating evolocumab in 27,564 patients with clinically evident

vascular disease. The primary hypothesis is that evolocumab will reduce the incidence of major

adverse cardiovascular events.

Study patients must be between 40 and 85 years of age and have clinically evident

cardiovascular disease defined as a history of myocardial infarction, non-hemorrhagic stroke, or

symptomatic peripheral artery disease. Furthermore, patients must have additional characteristics

that place them at higher cardiovascular risk. Patients must have a fasting LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL or

a non-HDL-C of ≥100 mg/dL after ≥2 weeks of optimized stable lipid-lowering therapy, which

would ideally include a high intensity statin, but must be at least atorvastatin 20 mg daily or

equivalent (ie, at least moderate intensity statin), with or without ezetimibe. A complete listing of

the inclusion and exclusion criteria is provided in Tables I and II. The first patient was enrolled

on February 8, 2013 and the last on June 5, 2015. A snapshot of baseline characteristics of trial

patients at the time of the drafting of this manuscript is shown in Table III.

Eligible patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either evolocumab (either 140

mg SC every 2 weeks or 420 mg SC every month, according to patient preference) or matching

placebo injections. Randomized allocation of study treatment was performed via a central

computerized system with stratification of randomization by LDL-C (<85 vs ≥ 85 mg/dL) and

region. Treatment allocation was double-blind. Randomized patients are to be followed up for all

relevant clinical endpoints and adverse events until the end of this study, which will occur after

1630 patients experience the key secondary endpoint event (cardiovascular death, myocardial

5

infarction, or stroke) confirmed by central adjudication. The study is being performed in

accordance with ethical principles in a manner consistent with the Declaration of Helsinki, ICH

Good Clinical Practice guidelines, and applicable regulatory requirements. The final study

protocol and informed consent has been reviewed and approved by the corresponding health

authorities and ethics boards/IRBs for all participating study sites. Randomized patients gave

written informed consent for participation in the trial.

Treatment Protocol and Study Assessments

Background Lipid-Lowering Therapy

Patients on a stable (defined as for ≥4 weeks prior to screening), optimized lipid-lowering

regimen were eligible for final screening and placebo run-in (see below). Patients requiring

uptitration of their lipid-lowering regimen or those who wished to switch to study-supplied

atorvastatin underwent initial screening procedures and entered an uptitration/switching phase

with LDL-C assessments every 2 weeks. Once the patient was on an optimized lipid-lowering

regimen for ≥2 weeks during screening, final screening procedures could be performed. Patients

received a placebo run-in injection (single, 1 mL SC injection) to assess tolerability of SC

injections.

Study Drug

Study drug is dispensed as either evolocumab, 140 mg to be taken every 2 weeks or 420

mg to be taken every month (ie, every 4 weeks), or matching placebo. Given the equivalent

LDL-C lowering of the 2 regimens,18 patients may choose the dosing frequency and can elect to

switch every 12 weeks. Dose titrations are not permitted.

Visit Schedule and Follow up

6

Randomized patients return for study visits at week 2, 4, 12 and then at 12 week intervals

thereafter. During follow-up visits patients are assessed for adverse and potential endpoint

events, and blood and urine are sampled for central laboratory testing. All patients are to be

followed regardless of whether or not they are taking study drug.

Lipid Monitoring and Compliance with Lipid-Lowering Therapy

All medical staff involved with the patient’s care are requested to refrain from obtaining

lipid panels from randomization until at least 12 weeks after the patient has permanently stopped

study drug. Central laboratory results of lipid panels are blinded. If a patient’s LDL-C increases

by 25% and 20 mg/dL from baseline, the sites is notified by an automated system to instruct the

patient on compliance. To maintain the blind, reminders are provided to additional patients so

that the number of reminders is balanced between treatment arms. In general, patients are not to

change open-label background lipid-lowering therapies post-randomization.

Study Endpoints

The primary endpoint of the trial is major cardiovascular events defined as the composite

of cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, or coronary

revascularization. The key secondary endpoint is the composite of cardiovascular death, MI, or

stroke. Other secondary endpoints include the individual components of the key secondary

endpoint, death by any cause, cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, coronary

revascularization, and ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Exploratory endpoints

include absolute and percent changes in LDL-C and other lipid parameters. Safety will be

assessed through collection of adverse events, including muscle-related adverse events. In

addition to general adverse events, incident diabetes will be ascertained and adjudicated, periodic

laboratory testing will include liver function tests, creatine kinase, fasting glucose, HbA1c, and

7

anti-evolocumab antibodies, and formal neurocognitive testing will be done in a subset of

patients (see below).

An independent clinical endpoint committee (CEC, Online Appendix) that is led by the

TIMI Study Group is adjudicating causes of death, all major cardiovascular outcomes of interest,

and incident diabetes. Endpoint definitions are based on the United States Food and Drug

Administration recommended Standardized Definitions for Cardiovascular Outcomes Trials.19

All CEC members are blinded to treatment assignment and lipid levels.

Statistical Considerations

The primary efficacy analysis will be based on the time from randomized treatment

assignment to the first occurrence of any element of the primary composite endpoint of

cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, or coronary

revascularization. To preserve the overall type I error rate at 0.05, if the primary endpoint is

significantly reduced, then the key secondary endpoint will be analyzed at a significance level of

0.05. If the key secondary endpoint is significantly reduced, then cardiovascular death will be

analyzed at a significance level of 0.05. If cardiovascular death is significantly reduced, then all-

cause mortality will be analyzed at a significance level of 0.04 and additional secondary

endpoints will be tested at an overall significant level of 0.01 by applying the Hochberg

method.20 All efficacy analyses will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis. Safety

evaluations will include all randomized patients who receive at least one dose of study treatment

and for whom post-dose data are available.

Trial sample size was based on the key secondary endpoint with the assumption of a 2%

per year event rate in the placebo arm and a hazard ratio of 0.80, which was deliberately

conservative based on the non-statin mechanism of LDL-lowering and the low LDL levels

8

anticipated to be achieved. Furthermore, due to potential treatment lag (as has been seen in some

lipid-lowering trials) and an estimated non-compliance rate of 10% per year, the observed hazard

ratio was assumed to be 0.85. After taking these factors into account, 1630 key secondary

endpoints would provide 90% power.21 Assuming a 2% per year event rate in the placebo arm,

27,500 patients followed for a median of about 43 months should provide 1630 key secondary

endpoints. Assuming an annualized event rate of 4.5% for the primary endpoint, there should be

3550 events at the end of the study, yielding >99% power to detect the hypothesized effect. The

Executive Committee and Sponsor will monitor the blinded aggregate event rate data as well as

other trial metrics and study duration may be adjusted to ensure assumptions are met.

Data Monitoring and Lipid-Monitoring Committees

Reviews of safety are being performed by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee

(Online Appendix) approximately every 3 months. All DMC recommendations will be made

based on a review of the totality of evidence from the unblinded data from the trial. There are no

formal statistical monitoring rules for stopping the trial based on safety or efficacy. The DMC

will consider a Haybittle-Peto monitoring guideline as one component of the totality of evidence.

The DMC is monitoring patients who achieve LDL-C <25 mg/dL.

A Lipid Monitoring Committee (LMC, Online Appendix) will monitor the LDL-C

separation between treatment groups (but not clinical events) over the course of the study and

may advise the Executive Committee and Sponsor if trial assumptions (eg, if the expected LDL-

C separation between treatment arms is <36 mg/dL at 12 months) are not being met globally or

in certain subgroups, without revealing specific observed treatment effects.

Planned Substudies

9

Serum and plasma samples for assessment of cardiovascular biomarkers are being obtained at

baseline, week 24 and end of study. The intent of the biomarker substudy is to examine the

relationship between biomarkers and efficacy, safety or tolerability of evolocumab, as well as the

relationship between biomarkers and cardiovascular and metabolic disease. DNA will be

collected in all subjects who provide informed consent to participate in the optional genetics

substudy. The intent of the genetics substudy is to examine the relationship between genetic

variants and the efficacy, safety or tolerability of evolocumab, as well as the relationship

between genetic variants and cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Dedicated neurocognitive

testing is being performed in a subset of approximately 2000 patients, using CANTAB, a

validated, tablet-based approach.22, 23

Study Organization

The protocol was designed through a collaboration between the Executive Committee

and the Sponsor (Amgen). Along with the Sponsor, the Executive Committee monitors ongoing

conduct of the trial. The FOURIER trial is being conducted in 49 countries and 1272 sites. A

Steering Committee composed of National Lead Investigators from the countries is responsible

for the protocol and its implementation in each of the countries (Online Appendix). As noted

above, an independent DMC is responsible for periodic reviews of patient safety during the trial

and a LMC for LDL-C separation.

The TIMI Study Group, an academic research organization within Brigham and Women’s

Hospital (Boston, MA), will have full access to the complete database once the study is

completed and will independently generate analyses. The Executive Committee will be

responsible for submitting the results of the study for publication in a peer-reviewed medical

journal.

10

The authors are solely responsible for the drafting and editing of the paper and its final contents.

Discussion

A series of statin trials over time have repeatedly shown a reduction in major adverse

cardiovascular events in the arm that was allocated to receive more intensive LDL-C-lowering

therapy (either therapy vs placebo or more intensive vs less intensive therapy) and therefore

achieved lower LDL-C. We hypothesize LDL-C lowering with evolocumab will also yield

significant reductions in cardiovascular disease for several reasons. First, reductions in

cardiovascular events have been seen with non-statin LDL-C lowering drugs that are

proportionately comparable to what has been observed with statins.24 Second, PCSK9 inhibitors

and statins share the same final common pathway for LDL-C reduction, namely by upregulating

the LDL-R. Third, observational data from several cohorts have consistently shown that carriers

of PCSK9 loss-of-function allele have substantially lower rates of cardiovascular events.25

Fourth, in a recent prespecified analysis of 60 cardiovascular events from open-label extensions

of 12 phase 2 and phase 3 trials of evolocumab, treatment with evolocumab reduced LDL-C by

61% (from a median of 120 to 48 mg/dL) and cardiovascular events through 1 year by 53% (HR

0.47, 95% CI 0.28-0.78, P=0.003).26 Although based on a small number of events, similar results

were seen in an exploratory analysis of cardiovascular outcomes with another PCSK9 inhibitor.27

Although the CTT analysis notes a 22% reduction in cardiovascular events over a median

of approximately 5 years for each mmol reduction in LDL-C, it must be acknowledged that we

have sparser data in patients starting at the lower end of the range of LDL-C. Nonetheless,

subgroup analyses from both the JUPITER trial of rosuvastatin and the IMPROVE-IT trial of

ezetimibe show consistent clinical benefit even when reducing LDL-C from 50-60 mg/dL to the

11

mid 40s or even <30 mg/dL.28, 29 Furthermore, in the exploratory cardiovascular outcomes data to

date, the magnitude of reductions in cardiovascular events observed with the large decreases in

LDL-C with PCSK9 inhibitors is consistent with the relationship reported in the CTT meta-

analysis of statin trials.30 FOURIER will provide a robust dataset in this lower range of LDL-C to

examine both the quantitative relationship between LDL-C reduction with a non-statin therapy

and clinical event reduction and the relationship between achieved LDL-C and cardiovascular

outcomes.

Per protocol, all patients must be on a background of at least moderate intensity statin

therapy and in fact the majority of patients are receiving background high intensity statin

therapy. Therefore FOURIER will provide an opportunity to assess the clinical benefit of PCSK9

inhibition on top of high intensity statin therapy, use of which in patients with atherosclerotic

cardiovascular disease is recommended by current guidelines.31 The results of the IMPROVE IT

study demonstrate that further LDL-C reduction with ezetimibe on top of a statin provides

further clinical benefit.7 In FOURIER, approximately 5% of patients in the trial are on

background ezetimibe and a statin. Thus the data available for the efficacy of evolocumab on

clinical outcomes in the setting of concomitant statin and ezetimibe will be more limited,

although the LDL-C lowering ability of evolocumab appears comparable in patients on and off

ezetimibe.11, 15

FOURIER will also provide important safety data for two related issues: long-term

administration of evolocumab and achievement of very low LDL-C levels. Analyses from trials

examining patients who achieved LDL-C <50, <40 and even <30 mg/dL showed no clear excess

of adverse events.28, 32, 33 An event of particular interest with statins has been incident diabetes.34

The mechanism remains debated with regard to whether it is linked to HMG-CoA reductase

12

inhibition and altered prenylation of proteins, upregulation of the LDL-R, or some other

unknown pathway.35, 36 Neurocognitive issues with statins have been noted in post-marketing

reports, but not seen in randomized trials with neurocognitive testing.37, 38 Imbalances of

neurocognitive adverse events have been seen with evolocumab and another PCSK9 inhibitor,

although they have tended to be mild and transient. The formal neurocognitive testing substudy

in FOURIER should provide definitive data.

In summary, the FOURIER trial with 27,564 patients with planned long-term follow-up

should provide definitive data on the clinical efficacy and safety of the PCSK9 inhibitor

evolocumab.

13

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21

Table I: Inclusion criteria

1. Signed informed consent

2. Male or female ≥40 to ≤85 years of age at signing of informed consent

3. History of clinically evident cardiovascular disease as evidenced by any of the following: diagnosis of myocardial infarction diagnosis of non-hemorrhagic stroke symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD), as evidenced by either intermittent

claudication with ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.85, or peripheral arterial revascularization procedure, or amputation due to atherosclerotic disease

4. At least 1 major risk factor or at least 2 minor risk factors below:Major Risk Factors (1 Required): diabetes (type 1 or type 2) age ≥65 years at randomization (and ≤85 years at time of informed consent) MI or non-hemorrhagic stroke within 6 months of screening additional diagnosis of myocardial infarction or non-hemorrhagic stroke excluding

qualifying MI or non-hemorrhagic stroke current daily cigarette smoking history of symptomatic PAD (intermittent claudication with ABI <0.85, or peripheral

arterial revascularization procedure, or amputation due to atherosclerotic disease) if eligible by MI or stroke history

Minor Risk Factors (2 Required): history of non-MI related coronary revascularization residual coronary artery disease with ≥40% stenosis in ≥2 large vessels most recent HDL-C <40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) for men and <50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) for

women by central laboratory before randomization most recent hsCRP >2.0 mg/L by central laboratory before randomization most recent LDL-C ≥130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) or non-HDL-C ≥160 mg/dL (4.1 mmol/L)

by central laboratory before randomization metabolic syndrome

5. Most recent fasting LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) or non-HDL-C ≥100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) by central laboratory during screening after ≥2 weeks of stable lipid lowering therapy

6. Most recent fasting triglycerides ≤400 mg/dL (4.5 mmol/L) by central laboratory before randomization

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Table II: Exclusion criteria

1. Subject must not be randomized within 4 weeks of their most recent MI or stroke2. NYHA class III or IV, or last known left ventricular ejection fraction < 30%3. Known hemorrhagic stroke at any time4. Uncontrolled or recurrent ventricular tachycardia5. Planned or expected cardiac surgery or revascularization within 3 months after

randomization6. Uncontrolled hypertension defined as sitting systolic blood pressure >180 mmHg or diastolic

BP >110 mmHg7. Use of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibition treatment, mipomersen, or

lomitapide within 12 months prior to randomization. Fenofibrate therapy must be stable for at least 6 weeks prior to final screening at a dose that is appropriate for the duration of the study in the judgment of the investigator. Other fibrate therapy (and derivatives) are prohibited

8. Prior use of PCSK9 inhibition treatment other than evolocumab or use of evolocumab <12 weeks prior to final lipid screening

9. Untreated or inadequately treated hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism as defined by thyroid stimulating hormone < lower limit of normal or > 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), respectively, and free thyroxine (T4) levels that are outside normal range at final screening

10. Severe renal dysfunction, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <20 mL/min/1.73m2

at final screening11. Active liver disease or hepatic dysfunction, defined as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or

alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >3 times the ULN as determined by central laboratory analysis at final screening

12. Recipient of any major organ transplant (eg, lung, liver, heart, bone marrow, renal)13. Personal or family history of hereditary muscular disorders14. LDL or plasma apheresis within 12 months prior to randomization15. Severe, concomitant non-cardiovascular disease that is expected to reduce life expectancy to

less than 3 years16. CK >5 times the ULN at final screening17. Known major active infection or major hematologic, renal, metabolic, gastrointestinal or

endocrine dysfunction in the judgment of the investigator18. Malignancy (except non-melanoma skin cancers, cervical in-situ carcinoma, breast ductal

carcinoma in situ, or stage 1 prostate carcinoma) within the last 10 years19. Subject has received drugs via a systemic route that have known major interactions with

background statin therapy within 1 month prior to randomization or is likely to require such treatment during the study period

20. Currently enrolled in another investigational device or drug study, or less than 30 days since ending another investigational device or drug study(s), or receiving other investigational agent(s)

21. Female subject who has either (1) not used acceptable method(s) of birth control for at least 1 month prior to screening or (2) is not willing to use such a method during treatment with IP and for an additional 15 weeks after the end of treatment with IP, unless the subject is sterilized or postmenopausal;

22. Subject is pregnant or breast feeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed during treatment with IP and/ or within 15 weeks after the end of treatment with IP

23

23. Known sensitivity to any of the active substances or their excipients to be administered during dosing

24. Subject likely to not be available to complete all protocol-required study visits or procedures, to the best of the subject’s and investigator’s knowledge

25. History or evidence of any other clinically significant disorder, condition or disease other than those outlined above that, in the opinion of the Investigator or Amgen physician, if consulted may compromise the ability of the subject to give written informed consent, would pose a risk to subject safety, or interfere with the study evaluation, procedures or completion

24

Table III: Snapshot of Baseline Characteristics

CharacteristicAll subjects randomized

(N = 27564)Age, y, mean (SD) 62.5 (9.0)Sex, male, n (%) 20795 (75.4)Race, n (%)

Caucasian 23426 (85.0)Black or African American 699 (2.4)Asian or Other 3439 (12.5)

RegionNorth America 4571 (16.6)Europe 17335 (62.9)Latin America 1823 (6.6)Asia Pacific and South Africa 3835 (13.9)

Cardiovascular risk factors, n (%) Hypertension 22040 (80.0) Diabetes mellitus 9333 (33.9) Current cigarette use 7770 (28.2)History of vascular disease, n (%) Myocardial infarction 22356 (81.1) Non-hemorrhagic stroke 5330 (19.3) Peripheral artery disease 3640 (13.2)Statin use, n (%) High intensity 19082 (69.2) Moderate intensity 8390 (30.4) Low intensity, unknown at this time, or no data 92 (0.3)Ezetimibe, n (%) 1393(5.1)Lipid parameters at parent study baseline, mg/dL (Q1, Q3) LDL cholesterol 91.5 (79.5, 108.0) Total cholesterol 167.0 (150.5, 188.0) HDL cholesterol 44.0 (37.0, 52.5) Triglycerides 133.0 (99.8, 181.0)

Based on snapshot of database performed on October 2, 2015. HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; SD: standard deviation.

25

Figure Legend

Figure 1. FOURIER Study Design

26

Figure 1.

Appendix

Executive CommitteeMarc S. Sabatine, MD, MPH, Co-ChairTerje R. Pedersen, MD, Co-ChairRobert P. Giugliano, MD, SMAnthony Keech, MDPeter S. Sever, MD

Steering Committee includes Members of the Executive Committee and the following NationalLead InvestigatorsAlberto J. Lorenzatti, MD (Argentina)John Amerena, MBBS (Australia)Kurt Huber, MD (Austria)André Scheen, MD (Belgium)José Francisco Kerr Saraiva, MD, PhD (Brazil)Borislav Georgiev Georgiev, MD (Bulgaria)Lawrence A. Leiter, MD (Canada)Jorge Leonardo Cobos, MD (Chile)Lixin Jiang, MD, PhD (China)Jose Luis Accini Mendoza, MD (Colombia)Richard Ceska, MD, PhD (Czech Republic)Henrik Kjaerulf Jensen, MD, DMSc, PhD (Denmark)Margus Viigimaa, MD, PhD (Estonia)Matti J. Tikkanen, MD (Finland)Francois Schiele, MD (France)Ioanna Gouni-Berthold, MD (Germany)Loukianos Rallidis, MD (Greece)Chung-Wah Siu, MD (Hong Kong)Kalman Toth, MD, PhD, ScD (Hungary)Gudmundur Thorgeirsson, MD, PhD (Iceland)Prakash C. Deedwania, MD & Vijay Kumar Chopra, MD (India)Brendan McAdam, MD (Ireland)Basil S Lewis, MD (Israel)Gaetano M. De Ferrari, MD (Italy)Atsushi Hirayama, MD, PhD (Japan)Andrejs Erglis, MD, PhD (Latvia)Jolita Badariene, MD (Lithuania)Wan Azman Wan Ahmad, MD (Malaysia)Guillermo Gonzalez-Galvez (Mexico)J. Wouter Jukema, MD, PhD (Netherlands)Anthony Clifford Keech, MD (New Zealand)Terje R. Pedersen, MD (Norway)Gregorio G. Rogelio, MD (Philippines)Zbigniew A. Gaciong, MD, PhD (Poland)Jorge Ferreira, MD (Portugal)G.A. Dan, MD, PhD (Romania)Marat Vladislavovich Ezhov, MD (Russia)Leslie Tay, MD (Singapore)Slavomíra Filipová, MD, PhD (Slovakia)Lesley Burgess, MD (South Africa)

Donghoon Choi, MD, PhD (South Korea)Jose Lopez-Miranda, MD (Spain)Lennart Nilsson, MD, PhD (Sweden)François Mach, MD (Switzerland)Min-Ji Charng, MD, PhD (Taiwan)S. Lale Tokgozoglu, MD (Turkey)Peter S Sever, MD (United Kingdom)Robert P. Giugliano, MD, SM (United States)

Sponsor LeadershipRobert Scott, MDScott M. Wasserman, MDNarimon Honarpour, MD, PhDRansi Somaratne, MDKelly Hanlon, MBABeat Knusel, PhDThomas Liu, PhDHuei Wang, PhD

DMC MembersCharles H. Hennekens, MD, DrPH, ChairFelicita Andreotti MD PhDColin Baigent, FFPHW. Virgil Brown, MDBarry R. Davis, MD, PhDJohn Newcomer, MDSarah K. Wood, MD

LMC MembersJohn LaRosa, MD, ChairBenjamin Ansell, MDAnders Olsson, MD

CEC MembersStephen D. Wiviott, MD, ChairCheryl Lowe, DirectorEric Awtry, MDClifford J. Berger, MDKevin Croce, MDAkshay Desai, MDEli Gelfand, MDCarolyn Ho, MDDavid E. Leeman, MDMark S. Link, MDAndrew D. Norden, MDAshvin Pande, MDNatalia Rost, MDFrederick Ruberg, MDScott Silverman, MDAneesh Singhal, MDJoseph Vita, MD (deceased)