New Merck Pill Reduces Bad Cholesterol by 60%, Aims to Replace Injections

A new medication developed by Merck has shown the potential to transform treatment for high cholesterol, providing a pill that could replace the need for injections. The drug, named enlicitide, effectively reduces levels of harmful LDL cholesterol by up to 60%, a reduction comparable to existing injectable treatments such as Repatha and Praluent. This breakthrough comes as a significant advancement in cardiovascular health, aiming to prevent heart attacks and strokes for millions of individuals.

The mechanism behind enlicitide involves blocking a liver protein known as PCSK9, which plays a crucial role in the body’s ability to clear cholesterol from the bloodstream. Dr. Daniel Soffer, a cardiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, expressed optimism about the findings, stating, “Lower is better for sure,” during a discussion on the clinical results.

Clinical Trial Results and Future Implications

The efficacy of enlicitide was demonstrated in a 24-week trial that included 2,912 adults, all of whom had experienced a prior cardiovascular event or were at high risk. Participants who received enlicitide experienced significant drops in LDL cholesterol levels compared to those given a placebo. Importantly, researchers noted no significant difference in side effects between the two groups, suggesting that the new oral treatment may be a safer and more accessible option for patients.

Dr. Dean Li, president of Merck Research Laboratories, emphasized the company’s commitment to making this treatment both affordable and easy to integrate into daily routines. “The dream is to democratize PCSK9,” Li explained, highlighting the broader implications of making cholesterol management as simple as taking an aspirin.

Creating an oral medication to inhibit PCSK9 has historically been deemed challenging due to the protein’s complex structure. However, after a decade of research, Merck’s team developed a novel circular peptide that is approximately one-hundredth the size of traditional antibodies, successfully mimicking the effects of injectable treatments.

Regulatory Approval and Next Steps

Following these promising results, Merck is now conducting a larger study involving over 14,500 participants to further validate whether the cholesterol reductions can lead to decreased rates of heart attacks, strokes, and overall mortality. The company plans to apply for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in early 2026, with hopes of launching enlicitide in 2027.

Dr. Christopher Cannon, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, welcomed the announcement, stating that if the results are confirmed, this could be a significant advancement in cardiovascular care. As research progresses, the potential for enlicitide to reshape cholesterol management remains a focal point in the ongoing battle against heart disease.

For further information on PCSK9 inhibitors and their role in cardiovascular health, resources are available from reputable health organizations like the Cleveland Clinic.