U.S. approves pill for cholesterol that drives levels down far below statins
NEWS | 16 July 2026
Most adults have levels of a dangerous type of cholesterol above 100, but this new drug can reduce levels to around 50 I agree my information will be processed in accordance with the Scientific American and Springer Nature Limited Privacy Policy . We leverage third party services to both verify and deliver email. By providing your email address, you also consent to having the email address shared with third parties for those purposes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new cholesterol-busting drug that appears to reduce harmful cholesterol far below levels than can be achieved using statins. Statins have long been the front line for reducing levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein), a dangerous type of cholesterol that causes plaque to build up inside the arteries, raising the risk of heart disease and stroke. Most adults have levels of LDL above 100, but the new pill can lower levels to 50 or even lower, clinical trials show. Called enlicitide, the once-a-day pill is set to be sold under the brand name Lipfendra for $315 for a 30-day supply. Previously, it had been available as an injectable, but it was much more expensive. The drug is made by pharmaceutical giant Merck, which discovered lovastatin—the first statin to gain FDA approval, in 1987. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. Enlicitide works by inhibiting a protein produced by the liver, called PCSK9, which slows the body’s ability to flush cholesterol out. Clinical trial data suggests it has side effects comparable to a placebo. Over the course of six months, the drug lowered cholesterol levels in adults with or at risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease—caused by the dangerous build-up of cholesterol plaques on artery walls—by up to 60 percent. The approval comes after the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology released new cholesterol guidelines in March. These suggested patients at risk of heart attack or stroke try to lower their LDL levels to below 70; people at high risk are recommended to get the level to below 55. Currently, U.S. adults are recommended to be screened for cholesterol levels at least once every five years. The overwhelming evidence is that too much LDL cholesterol raises the risk of heart attack or stroke. Merck is now conducting trials to see if its new medication can prevent heart attacks and strokes. This is a breaking news story and may be updated.
Author: Claire Cameron.
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