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New Pill Cuts Bad Cholesterol by 60% in Major Trial

Published on June 23, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
New Pill Cuts Bad Cholesterol by 60% in Major Trial

Topic: Health

A new pill called enlicitide lowered bad cholesterol levels by 60%. This could help millions of people reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Scientists have discovered a new way to lower bad cholesterol levels. A team led by Dr. Ann Marie Navar found that the experimental pill, enlicitide, can cut bad cholesterol levels by as much as 60%. This is a big deal because high bad cholesterol levels are linked to heart attacks and strokes.

The study involved over 2,900 people who either had atherosclerosis or were at risk of developing it. Half of the participants took the pill, while the other half took a placebo. After 24 weeks, those taking the pill saw their bad cholesterol levels drop by 60%.

This is important because many people struggle to lower their bad cholesterol levels using existing treatments. The new pill could provide a simpler and more effective way for people to manage their risk of heart disease.

Why It Matters

This breakthrough has the potential to improve public health in India, where cardiovascular diseases are a major concern. With this new treatment option, millions of Indians may be able to reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Key Facts

  • The pill, enlicitide, lowered bad cholesterol levels by 60% in a clinical trial.
  • The study involved over 2,900 participants who either had atherosclerosis or were at risk of developing it.
  • Existing treatments for high bad cholesterol levels are often not effective enough to reach recommended targets.
  • The new pill could provide a simpler and more effective way for people to manage their risk of heart disease.
  • This breakthrough has the potential to improve public health in India, where cardiovascular diseases are a major concern.

Key Terms

Atherosclerosis
A condition where plaque builds up inside artery walls

Implications

This breakthrough has the potential to improve public health in India, where cardiovascular diseases are a major concern. With this new treatment option, millions of Indians may be able to reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes.


Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260321012659.htm

Journal Reference:

  1. Ann Marie Navar, Elina Mikhailova, Alberico L. Catapano, Puja Banka, Dirk J. Blom, Alberto Cadena, Susan Kourpanidis, Norman E. Lepor, Kazuhisa Tsukamoto, Geraldine Mendizabal, Julio Nunez, Wenjuan Zhang, Pengfei Zhu, Min Zhuo, Christie M. Ballantyne. A Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor Enlicitide. New England Journal of Medicine, 2026; 394 (6): 529 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2511002

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