Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 12: An international team of scientists has found that Obicetrapib, a once-daily oral medication, could offer a more effective and accessible treatment for individuals at high risk of heart attack and stroke.

In a clinical trial led by Monash University’s Victorian Heart Institute in Australia, the drug significantly lowered levels of both LDL cholesterol—often called "bad cholesterol"—and lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a genetic risk factor with limited treatment options.

Professor Stephen Nicholls, who led the study, emphasized the significance of the results: “Many patients fail to meet their cholesterol goals even with the best available therapies. Obicetrapib not only reduced LDL cholesterol by more than 30%, but also lowered Lp(a) by a similar margin—something that's notoriously difficult to treat.”

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved more than 2,500 participants with either established cardiovascular disease or inherited high cholesterol. Over a 12-week period, those taking Obicetrapib alongside standard cholesterol-lowering medications saw average reductions of 32.6% in LDL cholesterol and 33.5% in Lp(a).

Most notably, many patients on the new drug reached recommended cholesterol targets for the first time, according to researchers. The medication also showed a safety profile comparable to earlier clinical trials, indicating it was well tolerated.

Professor Nicholls noted that the drug could fill a critical treatment gap: “This is a potential game-changer for people whose cholesterol remains high despite existing therapies. It's simple, effective, and addresses risks we’ve struggled to treat.”

The study’s results pave the way for further research and possible regulatory approvals, offering renewed hope in the global effort to combat cardiovascular disease—the world’s leading cause of death.