Dyslipidaemia is a critical risk factor for the development of cardiovascular 
complications such as ischemic heart disease and stroke. Although statins are 
effective anti-dyslipidemic drugs, their usage is fraught with issues such as 
failure of adequate lipid control in 30% of cases and intolerance in select 
patients. The limited potential of other alternatives such as fibrates, bile 
acid sequestrants and niacin has spurred the search for novel drug molecules 
with better efficacy and safety. CETP inhibitors such as evacetrapib and 
anacetrapib have shown promise in raising HDL besides LDL lowering property. 
Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitors such as lomitapide and 
Apo CIII inhibitors such as mipomersen have recently been approved in Familial 
Hypercholesterolemia but experience in the non-familial setting is pretty much 
limited. One of the novel anti-dyslipidemic drugs which is greatly anticipated 
to make a mark in LDL-C control is the PCSK9 inhibitors. Some of the 
anti-dyslipidemic drugs which work by PCSK9 inhibition include evolocumab, 
alirocumab and ALN-PCS. Other approaches that are being given due consideration 
include farnesoid X receptor modulation and Lp-PLA2 inhibition. While it may not 
be an easy proposition to dismantle statins from their current position as a 
cholesterol reducing agent and as a drug to reduce coronary and cerebro-vascular 
atherosclerosis, our improved understanding of the disease and appropriate 
harnessing of resources using sound and robust technology could make rapid 
in-roads in our pursuit of the ideal anti-dyslipidemic drug.