Story perspectives

Merck's New Oral Drug Cuts Cholesterol by 60%

11/9/2025

Summary

Merck's Cholesterol Breakthrough

Merck's enlicitide, an oral PCSK9 inhibitor, reduced LDL cholesterol by up to 60% in a Phase 3 trial involving 2,900 participants at risk for cardiovascular events.
Two-thirds of participants achieved at least a 50% reduction in cholesterol levels.
The development aims to provide an effective alternative to injectable treatments.
Amgen's Repatha demonstrated a 25% reduction in cardiovascular events among high-risk patients without prior heart issues, outperforming traditional statin therapies.

Summary

CRISPR Lowers Cholesterol

A study presented at the American Heart Association meeting shows a CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy reduces LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in patients with severe hyperlipidemia.
The Phase 1 trial enrolled 15 participants and found about a 50% LDL reduction and a 55% triglyceride drop after a single infusion.
Experts say more research is needed to assess safety and efficacy.
Concerns remain about high costs of gene-editing therapies and ongoing medication adherence.

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Merck's Cholesterol Breakthrough

Merck's enlicitide, an oral PCSK9 inhibitor, reduced LDL cholesterol by up to 60% in a Phase 3 trial involving 2,900 participants at risk for cardiovascular events.
Two-thirds of participants achieved at least a 50% reduction in cholesterol levels.
The development aims to provide an effective alternative to injectable treatments.
Amgen's Repatha demonstrated a 25% reduction in cardiovascular events among high-risk patients without prior heart issues, outperforming traditional statin therapies.

1 / 2