Evacetrapib

Considerable attention focuses on the ability to develop therapeutic agents that elevate levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors have been developed on the basis of their ability to raise HDL-C to a greater extent than lipidmodifying therapies currently used in clinical practice. Initial enthusiasm for CETP inhibition decreased as a result of adverse clinical outcomes observed with the agent torcetrapib. Elucidating off-target toxicities of torcetrapib has provided hope that other CETP inhibitors may still be of potential benefit. Evacetrapib is a novel CETP inhibitor, with favorable effects on plasma lipids and no adverse effects on blood pressure or mineralocorticoid activity in early clinical evaluation. The potential effects on cardiovascular outcomes remain to be determined.