New Cholesterol Drug Cuts Heart Attack Risk with 94% Drop in Deadly Fat

A U.S. breakthrough is made in heart health

A powerful new drug by the U.S. pharmaceutical giant Eli Lily may soon change the whole concept of treating heart disease. This experimental drug has shown the ability to drop an especially dangerous form of cholesterol called lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), by an astonishing 94%, with a single injection.

The Hidden Danger of Lp(a): A Silent Threat to Heart Health

Unlike regular “bad” cholesterol (LDL), which can often be controlled with a healthy diet and exercise, Lp(a) is a more dangerous and genetically driven type of cholesterol. It sticks to the walls of arteries, causing them to narrow over time, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This significantly raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Until now, there hasn’t been a treatment that can specifically target and remove Lp(a) from the body.

Breakthrough Trial Yields Astonishing Results

Eli Lilly’ latest phase 2 clinical trial was carried out with 210 participants. Of those, 141 received a 400 mg dose of the new drug and the remaining participants received placebo capsules. The results published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology marked a significant breakthrough. Within just weeks of drug dosing, patients in the treated group saw a 94% reduction in their serum Lp(a) concentration.

The good news is that this effect lasted for at least six months, and without any major side effects being reported.

The Key to Prevention: Protecting Your Life from Heart Disease

Concerning his considerations of the study results, cardiologist Dr. Nitish Chandra from Fortis Escorts Heart Institute remarked that it is “very promising.” He added that Lp(a) is an inherited trait and cannot be treated by any of the existing cholesterol-lowering medications or blood thinners. For many, this drug really could become the first solution ever available to treat a lifelong risk. Currently, patients with more than 75 percent blockage of the arteries often end up needing to stent or undergo surgery, but with this drug, they may never need to.

What Happens Next: Bigger Trials, More Hope

Exciting as the early data are, the next challenge is to prove that lowering Lp(a) will indeed translate into lowering heart attacks or strokes. A confirmatory larger clinical trial that would prove long-term benefits is already in progress. On the side, Novartis, a Swiss drugmaker, is producing a similar drug meant to be dosed monthly.
If these medicines fulfill their expectations, they would stand to alter the care of heart disease for millions around the globe.