A new cholesterol-lowering pill may offer a significant breakthrough for individuals at risk of heart attack and stroke. A major international study, spearheaded by Monash University, has unveiled a promising new approach to safeguard those facing high risks of cardiovascular events. The research indicates that this innovative cholesterol-lowering medication could prove to be more effective and user-friendly compared to existing treatments.
The study, known as the BROADWAY trial, involved the testing of a once-daily oral drug named Obicetrapib. Results from the trial demonstrated a significant reduction in levels of LDL cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), both of which are critical contributors to heart disease and often challenging to manage. The Phase 3 trial findings were presented by Professor Stephen Nicholls, Director of Monash University’s Victorian Heart Institute and Monash Health’s Victorian Heart Hospital, as a late-breaking clinical study at the European Atherosclerosis Society Congress in Glasgow, UK. The results were also published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
According to Professor Nicholls, this breakthrough offers renewed hope for patients who have struggled to achieve their cholesterol goals despite utilizing 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 on the best available treatments,” stated Professor Nicholls. “Obicetrapib presents a promising new option – not only did it lower LDL cholesterol by over 30 percent, but we also saw a notable reduction in Lp(a), which is notoriously harder to treat and has been linked to increased heart disease risk.”
LDL cholesterol, often labeled as ‘bad cholesterol’, accumulates in blood vessels and elevates the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In contrast, lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a lesser-known inherited risk factor that can also expedite artery damage. Unlike LDL, there are currently no widely approved treatments available to effectively lower Lp(a) levels, making Obicetrapib’s dual action particularly valuable.
Within the BROADWAY trial, over 2,500 participants with established heart disease or genetic predispositions to high cholesterol were administered either Obicetrapib or a placebo, in conjunction with their regular cholesterol medications. After 12 weeks, participants taking Obicetrapib experienced an average reduction of 32.6 percent in LDL cholesterol and 33.5 percent in Lp(a), with many achieving guideline-recommended cholesterol targets for the first time. Furthermore, Obicetrapib was well tolerated, exhibiting a safety profile comparable to previous trials.
Professor Nicholls remarked, “This could be a valuable tool in the fight against heart disease. It’s convenient, it’s effective, and it may help close the gap for patients who’ve run out of options.” The BROADWAY trial has been funded by NewAmsterdam Pharma and aims to investigate the effects of Obicetrapib on lipid levels while characterizing its safety and side-effect profile in patients at heightened risk of cardiovascular events.
The findings from the BROADWAY trial underscore the potential of Obicetrapib as a revolutionary cholesterol-lowering medication. With its ability to target both LDL cholesterol and Lp(a), this new treatment may provide much-needed hope for those struggling to manage their heart health effectively.
For further details, refer to the study titled “Safety and Efficacy of Obicetrapib in Patients at High Cardiovascular Risk” by Professor Stephen J. Nicholls and colleagues, published on May 6, 2025, in the New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2415820.
