TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid)

Adenosine Triphosphate-Citrate Lyase Inhibitors
First-in-Class
Metabolic Approved 2020-02-21

Nexletol helps patients with high cholesterol, including those with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, lower their LDL-C levels. It is used for adults at high risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes who are unable to take standard statin therapy. This medication works alongside diet and exercise, either on its own or with other cholesterol-lowering drugs, to improve heart health outcomes.

Source: FDA Label • ESPERION THERAPS INC • Adenosine Triphosphate-Citrate Lyase Inhibitor

How NEXLETOL Works

This drug works by inhibiting an enzyme called adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase (ACL) in the liver, which is a step earlier in the cholesterol-making process than where statins work. Once activated in the liver, it decreases the production of cholesterol, which causes the body to increase the number of LDL receptors. This process effectively pulls more LDL-C out of the bloodstream.

3
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
6
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2020-02-21
Patent Cliff
2040

Pro Metrics

Patent cliff and revenue data

Unlock with Pro
Routes
ORAL
Dosage Forms
TABLET

Companies

Active Ingredient: BEMPEDOIC ACID

NEXLETOL Approval History

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
9 FDA actions from 2020 to 2026 · 2 indication expansions
Jan 2026 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Nov 2025 SUPPL
Efficacy
Jul 2025 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What NEXLETOL Treats

2 indications

NEXLETOL is approved for 2 conditions since its original approval in 2020. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Source: FDA Label

NEXLETOL Competitive Set

Pro

Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

Unlock 8 more competitors across all three rings.
Upgrade to Pro

Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to NEXLETOL

3 of 20

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

LEQVIO
INCLISIRAN SODIUM
2 shared
Novartis
LEROCHOL
LERODALCIBEP-LIGA
2 shared
LIB THERAPEUTICS, INC.
NEXLIZET
BEMPEDOIC ACID
2 shared
ESPERION THERAPS INC
📋

Clinical Trial Registry

14 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT06450366 results posted 0616-018 MK-0616-018, 2023-504920-25-00 Ph 3 completed A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Enlicitide (MK-0616, Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor) Compared With Ezetimibe or Bempedoic Acid or Ezetimibe and Bempedoic Acid in Adults With Hypercholesterolemia (MK-0616-018/CORALreef AddOn)
NCT07474649 DSE-BMP-0005-CIS-MA 2025-524625-41 Ph 3 not yet recruiting A Study of Bempedoic Acid/Ezetimibe/High-intensity Statin in Patients Without Cardiovascular Events
NCT07268625 DSE-BMP-0003-CIS-MA 2024-519851-27-00 Ph 1 completed Evaluating Bioequivalence of a Fixed Dose Combination Versus Individual Tablets of Bempedoic Acid / Ezetimibe, and Atorvastatin
NCT07235189 DSE-BMP-0001-CIS-MA 2024-519849-29-00 Ph 1 completed A Study Evaluating Bioequivalence of a Fixed Dose Combination Versus Individual Tablets of Bempedoic Acid, Ezetimibe, and Atorvastatin
NCT07201545 DSE-BMP-0004-CIS-MA 2024-519852-10-00 Ph 1 completed Evaluating Bioequivalence of a Fixed Dose Combination Versus Tablets of Bempedoic Acid / Ezetimibe and Rosuvastatin
NCT05488431 1.0 Ph 2 recruiting Cholesterol and Inflammation Lowering Via Bempedoic Acid, an ACL-inhibiting Regimen in HIV Trial (CLEAR HIV Trial)
NCT07182383 DSE-BMP-0002-CIS-MA 2024-519850-35-00 Ph 1 completed Evaluating Bioequivalence of a Fixed Dose Combination Versus Individual Tablets of Bempedoic Acid, Ezetimibe, and Rosuvastatin
NCT06742853 D7960C00017 Ph 1 completed A Study to Investigate the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of AZD0780 With Ezetimibe Combinations in Healthy Adults With Elevated LDL-C.
NCT05694260 CLEAR Path 1 1002-041 Ph 2 completed A Clinical Study in Children With Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) Aged 6 to 17 Treated Once Daily With Bempedoic Acid Oral Dosing (CLEAR Path 1)
NCT03067441 results posted 1002-050 2016-004115-12 Ph 3 completed Assessment of the Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Bempedoic Acid (CLEAR Harmony OLE)
NCT03001076 results posted 1002-048 Ph 3 completed Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Bempedoic Acid (ETC-1002) as Add-on to Ezetimibe Therapy in Patients With Elevated LDL-C (CLEAR Tranquility)
NCT02991118 CLEAR Wisdom results posted 1002-047 2016-003486-26 Ph 3 completed Evaluation of Long-Term Efficacy of Bempedoic Acid (ETC-1002) in Patients With Hyperlipidemia at High Cardiovascular Risk
NCT03337308 results posted 1002FDC-053 Ph 3 completed A Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Bempedoic Acid Plus Ezetimibe Fixed-Dose Combination Compared to Bempedoic Acid, Ezetimibe, and Placebo in Patients Treated With Maximally Tolerated Statin Therapy
NCT02988115 CLEAR Serenity results posted 1002-046 Ph 3 completed Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Bempedoic Acid (ETC-1002) in Patients With Hyperlipidemia and Statin Intolerant
🔬

Active Pipeline

Pro

Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

Loading...

Key Completed Trials

Pro

Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

Loading...
📊

Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

|
Loading...
Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

NEXLETOL FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

NEXLETOL is indicated for the treatment of Hypercholesterolemia; Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

View full patent landscape →
7 OB patents · 3 families · 168 international docs across 27 countries

NEXLETOL Patents & Exclusivity

Latest Patent: Jun 2040
Exclusivity: Mar 2027

Patents (7 active)

US11926584 Expires Jun 19, 2040
US12404227 Expires Jun 19, 2040
US11760714 Expires Jun 19, 2040
US12398087 Expires Jun 19, 2040
US11613511 Expires Jun 19, 2040
US11744816 Expires Mar 14, 2036
US7335799 Expires Dec 3, 2030

Exclusivity

I-943 Until Mar 2027
I-944 Until Mar 2027
Source: FDA Orange Book

Pro Intelligence Preview

Deep insights for NEXLETOL

Revenue Insights

  • Quarterly revenue tracking
  • Historical trend analysis

Patent Timeline

  • Cliff: 2040
  • 7 active patents

Trial Analysis

  • Clinical trial tracking
  • Development stage analysis

Competitive Landscape

  • 20 similar drugs
  • Same target/indication analysis
Unlock Full Intelligence

Full approval history • All patents • Revenue trends • Competitor analysis

Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.