But to date, increases in HDL-C observed during statin therapy have not been directly linked to any beneficial clinical outcome.

Statins lower LDL but are not very effective for raising HDL. Clinical trials of other drugs that specifically target HDL have so far proven disappointing.

Statins work by lowering the production of cholesterol by the liver, and are most effective at reducing low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, the so-called bad cholesterol.