Merck's Enlicitide Shows Dramatic 60% LDL Reduction in Late-Stage Trial

New oral PCSK9 inhibitor medication could transform cholesterol management for high-risk patients.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A new experimental pill called enlicitide, developed by Merck & Co. Inc., has generated excitement among cardiologists with its unprecedented effectiveness in lowering LDL cholesterol levels. In a phase 3 clinical trial, patients taking enlicitide experienced an average 60% reduction in LDL cholesterol compared to a placebo group, even while already taking statins. This breakthrough could dramatically improve the ability to prevent heart attacks and strokes for millions of patients struggling to control their cholesterol.

Why it matters

Nearly one in four adults lives with high cholesterol, often unknowingly increasing their risk of heart attack and stroke. While statins have been a cornerstone of treatment, many patients still struggle to reach healthy cholesterol levels. Enlicitide offers a potential solution for these treatment-resistant patients, using a novel mechanism to boost the liver's ability to remove 'bad' LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream.

The details

Enlicitide is an oral medication that targets the PCSK9 protein, which inhibits the liver's ability to remove LDL cholesterol. By binding to PCSK9, enlicitide effectively boosts LDL removal, leading to significant cholesterol reductions. This mechanism is similar to that of existing PCSK9 inhibitors, but with the key advantage of being a pill rather than an injection.

  • The phase 3 clinical trial results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in February 2026.
  • The trial followed over 2,900 high-risk patients taking statins for 52 weeks.

The players

Merck & Co. Inc.

The pharmaceutical company that developed the enlicitide medication.

Dr. Ann Marie Navar

A cardiologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center who commented on the potential impact of enlicitide.

Dr. Christie M. Ballantyne

A cardiologist at Baylor College of Medicine who highlighted enlicitide's ability to help patients not adequately responding to current therapies.

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What they’re saying

“Fewer than half of patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease currently reach LDL cholesterol goals. An oral therapy this effective has the potential to dramatically improve our ability to prevent heart attacks and strokes on a population level.”

— Dr. Ann Marie Navar, Cardiologist, UT Southwestern Medical Center

“The data demonstrate enlicitide's ability to assist patients not adequately responding to current therapies achieve their LDL goals.”

— Dr. Christie M. Ballantyne, Cardiologist, Baylor College of Medicine

What’s next

Merck is currently conducting a large-scale clinical trial to determine if the dramatic reduction in LDL cholesterol with enlicitide will translate into fewer heart attacks and strokes. This trial is essential for securing final regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

The takeaway

The development of oral PCSK9 inhibitors like enlicitide represents a significant step forward in cholesterol management, offering a more accessible and effective treatment option for the millions of patients struggling to control their LDL levels and reduce their cardiovascular risk.