Experimental cholesterol-lowering pill may offer new option for millions

AP News • February 4, 2026 • health

Key Points:

A new experimental pill called enlicitide significantly reduced LDL ("bad") cholesterol by up to 60% over six months in high-risk patients already taking statins, according to a major study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Enlicitide works by helping the body clear cholesterol similarly to injected PCSK9 inhibitors, but as a daily oral pill taken on an empty stomach, it could offer a more convenient alternative for millions of patients.
The study involving over 2,900 patients found no safety differences between enlicitide and placebo groups, and the cholesterol-lowering effect remained strong over a year.
While the pill shows promise, longer-term data is needed to confirm if it reduces heart attacks, strokes, or deaths;