An experimental oral pill called enlicitide lowered LDL cholesterol by about 60% in a large phase three clinical trial, according to results published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The trial, led by Dr. Ann Marie Navar at UT Southwestern Medical Center and sponsored by Merck, involved 2,909 participants mostly already on statins. If approved, the daily pill could improve access to effective cholesterol treatment.
The phase three trial tested enlicitide, an oral PCSK9 inhibitor, against a placebo in 2,909 participants with atherosclerosis or at risk due to related conditions. Most were taking statins, with average LDL levels at 96 mg/dl, above targets of 70 mg/dl for those with atherosclerosis and 55 mg/dl for at-risk individuals. After 24 weeks, enlicitide reduced LDL by about 60% compared to placebo, with benefits sustained over a year. It also lowered non-HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein(a).
