New Delhi: An international research team has discovered that a cholesterol-lowering medication could provide a more effective and convenient option for individuals at high risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Led by scientists at Monash University in Australia, the study investigated a once-daily oral drug called Obicetrapib, which was shown to significantly reduce levels of LDL (commonly known as bad cholesterol) and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]—both major risk factors for
cardiovascular disease.
According to lead researcher Professor Stephen Nicholls, Director of the Victorian Heart Institute at Monash University, the results represent a major advancement for patients who have had difficulty achieving their cholesterol goals with existing treatments.
"We know that many people at high risk of heart attack or stroke don't get their cholesterol levels low enough, even on the best available treatments," Nicholls said.
"Obicetrapib offers a promising new option-not only did it lower LDL cholesterol by over 30 per cent, but we also saw a reduction in Lp(a), which is much harder to treat and has been linked to increased heart disease risk," he added.
LDL cholesterol, commonly known as "bad cholesterol," can accumulate in blood vessels, raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a less familiar but inherited risk factor that contributes to arterial damage. Unlike LDL, there are currently no widely approved therapies specifically targeting Lp(a) reduction.
In a clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, over 2,500 individuals with existing heart disease or genetically elevated cholesterol levels received either Obicetrapib or a placebo alongside their standard cholesterol medications.
After 12 weeks, participants taking Obicetrapib experienced an average reduction of 32.6% in LDL cholesterol and 33.5% in Lp(a). Many achieved recommended cholesterol targets for the first time.
The drug was also well tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with previous studies.
"This could be a valuable tool in the fight against heart disease," Professor Nicholls said. "It's convenient, it's effective, and it may help close the gap for patients who've run out of options."