A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine examined the effects of the oral PCSK9 inhibitor enlicitide in more than 2,900 patients at high risk of heart events who were already taking statins. Patients were randomized to enlicitide and placebo, with enlicitide users achieving an approximately 60% drop in LDL cholesterol after 24 weeks compared to placebo. The mean reduction in LDL cholesterol was -58.2% in the enlicitide group versus 2.6% in the placebo group at 24 weeks and -55.3% versus 8.7% at 52 weeks. The drug also significantly reduced non-HDL cholesterol by 52.3%, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a). The effects persisted throughout the year with minimal decline in effectiveness. The incidence of adverse events, including serious ones, was similar in both groups and with no difference in safety. Enlicitide must be taken on an empty stomach and is funded by Merck for FDA approval.[1][2][3]