Data presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2006 in Chicago showed that WelChol(R) ( colesevelam hydrochloride ) plus ezetimibe and simvastatin provides powerful mean LDL-C reductions of 57% from baseline as compared to 51% reductions with ezetimibe plus simvastatin (p less than or equal to 0.0001). This is the first study to evaluate WelChol plus ezetimibe and simvastatin in subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia.

The poster presentation, entitled "Lipoprotein Particle Size, Concentration and Lipid Ratio Effects of Colesevelam HCl in Combination with Ezetimibe and Simvastatin," showed data from a study comparing WelChol, ezetimibe and simvastatin to ezetimibe and simvastatin alone. The study also found that more patients reached the aggressive LDL-C target of < 70 mg/dL with WelChol, ezetimibe and simvastatin therapy, compared to patients taking ezetimibe and simvastatin (52.4% vs. 23.3%, p = .0115, respectively). The WelChol, ezetimibe and simvastatin therapy was also notably associated with greater improvement in mean lipoprotein ratios, mean reduction in LDL particle concentration, and an increase in mean Apo A-I. Both regimens decreased hs-CRP.

"This study demonstrates the value of combining WelChol plus ezetimibe and simvastatin," said Harold E. Bays, MD, FACP, Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center Inc., Louisville, KY, and lead study investigator. "This combination can get patients to even lower LDL-C levels, which is important since for every percentage point of reduction in LDL-C, there is a corresponding reduction in risk of developing coronary heart disease."