New Pill Cuts Bad Cholesterol by 60%, Offers Hope for Heart Patients Taking Statins

If you have high bad cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein despite taking statins - a class of medication that lowers cholesterol in your blood by reducing the amount the liver produces – there is good

news for you. Experimental drug Enlicitide, developed by Merck, was presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025 recently, and the results excited cardiologists across the world. It has shown LDL reductions of about 55.8 per cent. As opposed to the existing PCSK9 inhibitors - which need injections- Enlicitide is the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor, taken as a once-daily pill. According to a late-stage clinical trial that was conducted to find the efficacy of the drug, it reduced LDL cholesterol by an average of 55 to 60 per cent in those who are already taking statins, numbers comparable to the best injectable treatments currently available. “This could be a real breakthrough in managing cholesterol, especially for those unable or unwilling to take injectable medications,” Dr Christie Ballantyne, lead investigator of the trial, informed.

How was the trial conducted?

The trial, which involved nearly 3,000 adults with an average age of 63 years and spanning 14 countries between 2023 and 2025, revealed that participants who took Enlicitide along with standard statins experienced up to a 60 per cent reduction in LDL after 24 weeks of daily treatment, compared with those who received a placebo with statins. According to researchers, all participants had elevated LDL levels and were either at high risk of, or had previously experienced, a major cardiovascular event.

Can Enilicitide replace statins?

Statins usually lower LDL cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase in the liver, which reduces the body's production of cholesterol. It also causes the liver to increase the number of LDL receptors on its surface, which then pulls more LDL cholesterol out of the bloodstream. Statins also lower your triglycerides, and your liver gets rid of more cholesterol, increasing your HDL or good cholesterol. However, doctors say PCSK9 inhibitors – like Enilicitide can complement, not totally replace statins since both drugs work differently. While Enilicitide can help clear LDL from your blood, statins would block an enzyme in the liver that prompts it to remove more cholesterol. And so, their dual action would make them effective in stubborn cases.

What happens if you have high cholesterol?

High cholesterol causes a buildup of plaque in your arteries – leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis – which narrows or blocks blood flow. It results in serious health issues like heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease. High cholesterol also contributes to high blood pressure and may, over time, lead to kidney disease. According to doctors, high cholesterol often has no symptoms, and so, it is possible to have it for years without knowing. Getting a cholesterol test is the only way to know your levels. It is also important to catch high cholesterol early, as it allows you to take steps, like diet and lifestyle changes, to lower your numbers and reduce your risk of future health problems.