New Cholesterol-Lowering Pill Shows Promise for High-Risk Patients

Experimental drug enlicitide may offer an easier alternative to injected medications for reducing LDL cholesterol.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Researchers have reported that a new experimental pill called enlicitide has shown the ability to sharply reduce artery-clogging LDL cholesterol in people who remain at high risk of heart attacks despite taking statins. The pill works differently than statins and could provide a new option for the millions of people who need additional help lowering their cholesterol levels.

Why it matters

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and high LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor. While statins are highly effective, many patients still struggle to get their LDL low enough, even with the highest doses. This new pill could provide an easier alternative to the injected PCSK9 inhibitor drugs that are currently available for additional cholesterol-lowering help.

The details

In a major study, over 2,900 high-risk patients were randomly assigned to take either the experimental enlicitide pill or a placebo in addition to their standard statin treatment. Those taking enlicitide saw their LDL cholesterol drop by up to 60% over six months, a significantly greater reduction than what is typically seen with statins alone. The benefits held up over a year, and there were no major safety concerns with the new pill. However, it must be taken on an empty stomach.

  • The study results were reported on February 5, 2026.
  • The new pill is still experimental and has not yet been approved by the FDA.

The players

Dr. Ann Marie Navar

A cardiologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center and the lead author of the study on the new cholesterol-lowering pill.

Merck

The pharmaceutical company that funded the study on the experimental drug enlicitide.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The U.S. regulatory agency that will review the new drug for potential approval.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.'”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Merck has a larger study of more than 14,000 patients underway to determine if the cholesterol-lowering benefits of enlicitide translate into fewer heart attacks, strokes, and deaths. The FDA has added the drug to a program promising ultra-fast reviews, so it could potentially be approved in the near future if the data continues to look promising.

The takeaway

This new cholesterol-lowering pill represents a potential breakthrough for the millions of people who struggle to get their LDL levels low enough with statins alone. If approved, it could provide an easier alternative to injected medications and help more high-risk patients better manage their heart disease risk.