Lilly’s pill reduces cholesterol-linked heart disease by 86% in study

Eli Lilly’s experimental pill, muvalaplin, showed promising results in lowering a type of cholesterol linked to heart disease by 86% in a mid-stage trial, according to data shared at the American Heart Association meeting.

The reduced levels of lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) were witnessed under a Lilly-developed test and when using the highest dose of 240 mg of muvalaplin. Conversely, a standard blood test showed 70% reduced Lp(a) levels.

Lp(a) affects 1 in 5 people globally and increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and valve problems, especially in people of African and South Asian descent. There are currently no approved treatments, and most tested therapies involve injections.

Lilly’s pill is the only oral treatment so far.

The trial tested three doses of muvalaplin in 233 adults and showed significant Lp(a) reductions with few side effects.

The pharmaceutical giant plans to proceed with late-stage trials to confirm whether lowering Lp(a) can help prevent heart disease. The findings and results from other treatments were published in JAMA.