An international study led by Monash University has found that a new cholesterol-lowering drug called Obicetrapib could offer a more effective and convenient way to protect people at high risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The results of the clinical trial, named “BROADWAY,” were presented at the European Atherosclerosis Society Congress in Glasgow, UK, and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The study was led by Professor Stephen Nicholls, Director of Monash University’s Victorian Heart Institute and Monash Health’s Victorian Heart Hospital. According to Professor Nicholls, the findings represent a major breakthrough for patients who have struggled to reach their cholesterol goals despite using the best available treatments.
“We know that many people at high risk of heart attack or stroke don’t get their cholesterol levels low enough, even with the best current therapies,” he explained. “Obicetrapib offers a promising new option—not only did it lower LDL cholesterol by over 30%, but we also saw a reduction in Lp(a), which is much harder to treat and has been linked to increased heart disease risk.”
LDL cholesterol, commonly known as “bad cholesterol,” is a major contributor to heart disease. When too much LDL builds up in the blood vessels, it can lead to blockages that increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Another risk factor is lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), which is less well-known but equally dangerous. Lp(a) is largely determined by genetics and accelerates artery damage, increasing the risk of heart problems. Unlike LDL, there are currently no widely approved treatments to lower Lp(a), making the results of this trial especially significant.
The BROADWAY trial included more than 2,500 participants who had either established heart disease or genetically high cholesterol. All participants were already on standard cholesterol medications but still had levels that put them at high risk. The trial randomly assigned them to receive either Obicetrapib or a placebo once a day for 12 weeks.
The results were impressive: those who took Obicetrapib saw their LDL cholesterol drop by 32.6% and their Lp(a) levels fall by 33.5% on average. For many of these patients, this was the first time they reached guideline-recommended targets for cholesterol.
Even more promising is the fact that Obicetrapib was well tolerated by the participants, with a safety profile consistent with earlier studies. This means that it did not cause unexpected side effects, which is a crucial factor for any new medication aimed at long-term use.
Professor Nicholls expressed optimism about what this could mean for patients. “This could be a valuable tool in the fight against heart disease,” he said. “It’s convenient, it’s effective, and it may help close the gap for patients who’ve run out of options.”
Because it is taken as a simple once-daily pill, it could be easier for patients to stay consistent with their treatment, potentially improving long-term outcomes.
The development of Obicetrapib is particularly significant given the challenges in treating Lp(a). Current cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins are very effective for reducing LDL levels but have little effect on Lp(a). With Obicetrapib’s ability to target both LDL and Lp(a), it could fill a critical gap in heart disease prevention.
These findings suggest that Obicetrapib may soon become an essential part of cholesterol management, particularly for those who remain at risk despite standard treatments. If further studies confirm its long-term safety and effectiveness, it could be a game-changer for preventing heart attacks and strokes in high-risk patients.
The next steps will likely involve regulatory review and possibly larger clinical trials to solidify its role in heart disease prevention.
For millions of people struggling to manage their cholesterol, Obicetrapib could offer a new way forward—one that is both effective and easy to maintain.
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The research findings can be found in New England Journal of Medicine.
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