United States: A newer drug combo reduces “bad” LDL cholesterol for those whose levels don’t fall, despite statins.
The new pill combines a new drug known as obicetrapib and an older one, ezetimibe. This combo, as Cleveland Clinic researchers reported, in a Phase III clinical trial, reduced LDL levels in nearly 49% over three months or so.
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The findings were outlined at the meeting of the European Atherosclerosis Society in Glasgow, Scotland, on Wednesday, in The Lancet at one and the same time.
According to Dr. Corey Bradley, a cardiologist at Columbia University, “High LDL is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease, and we have such a poor handle on controlling that risk,” US News reported.
“Many people have such a high LDL that they will require multiple agents to control it,” Bradley added.
The trial consisted of 407 individuals aged on average 68 years. Even on cholesterol-lowering medications, all LDL levels exceeded 70 mg/dL.
This #HeartWeek, we're sharing new hope for those at high risk of heart attack and stroke 🫀
— Monash Victorian Heart Institute (@MonashVHI) May 9, 2025
The BROADWAY trial shows new pill Obicetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol and Lp(a) by over 30%.
“It could be a game-changer,” says @ProfSNicholls.
🔗 Read: https://t.co/h7Olrd7gXW pic.twitter.com/MpV33mVob8
The participants were split into four groups by researchers: One took a combo pill; two groups took each drug separately; another group took a placebo.
All participants maintained normal cholesterol medications. Dr. Ashish Sarraju, a preventive cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, led the study.
High-risk patients are those who have had a heart attack/stroke or are likely to have a heart attack.
Even LDL receptor-stimulating statins at the highest dose may fall short of achieving safe LDL, US News reported.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends an LDL reading of less than 100 mg/dL and less than 70 mg/dL for high-risk patients.
New Am-sterdam Pharma (the Dutch firm that manufactures obicetrapib) funded the trial.
Previously, some similar drugs have failed to do so. Dr. Robert Rosenson of Mount Sinai Health System pointed out that drugs in this class have not prevented strokes or heart attacks.
“But I am cautiously hopeful,” he added.