Anacetrapib is a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor developed to manage cardiovascular disease by improving lipid profiles. It raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "good cholesterol," and lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or "bad cholesterol." This dual action helps reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, a condition where arteries become narrowed due to plaque buildup. The drug was investigated primarily for the prevention of major coronary events such as heart attack and stroke in patients with existing cardiovascular risk. Clinical trials showed that Anacetrapib significantly reduced LDL levels when added to standard statin therapy and produced sustained increases in HDL. Despite promising results in large outcome studies, further development was discontinued due to concerns about long-term tissue accumulation and limited added clinical benefit over existing treatments. Still, it contributed valuable insights into CETP inhibition as a strategy for lipid management.