The purpose of this research study is to see how ETC-1002 is tolerated in the body and how ETC-1002 affects the levels of LDL-C (bad cholesterol) in patients receiving ongoing statin therapy.

Approximately 132 hypercholesterolemic patients already taking statin therapy to treat elevated LDL-C will be randomized in a ratio of 1:1:1 to receive either ETC-1002 (120 mg or 180 mg dose), or placebo for 12 weeks in addition to ongoing statin therapy. This study will explore the safety and efficacy of ETC-1002 when given to patients receiving statin therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Fasting, calculated mean LDL-C ≥130 mg/dL and ≤220 mg/dL
• Fasting mean TG level ≤400 mg/dL
• Stable statin therapy for at least 3 months prior to screening: atorvastatin (10 or 20 mg daily), simvastatin (5, 10 or 20 mg daily), rosuvastatin (5 or 10 mg daily), or pravastatin (10, 20 or 40 mg daily)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinically significant cardiovascular disease within 12 months of screening
• Current muscle-related symptoms that may be due to ongoing statin therapy or a history of certain lab abnormalities that occurred during statin therapy and resolved when statin therapy was discontinued
• Type 1 diabetes or uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
• Use of metformin or thiazolidinediones (TZD) within 4 weeks of screening
• History of chronic musculoskeletal symptoms such as fibromyalgia
• Uncontrolled hypothyroidism
• Liver disease or dysfunction
• Renal dysfunction or nephritic syndrome
• Gastrointestinal conditions or procedures or surgeries
• Hematologic or coagulation disorders or low hemoglobin levels
• HIV or AIDS
• History of malignancy
• History of drug or alcohol abuse within 2 years
• Use of experimental or investigational drugs within 30 days of screening
• Use of ETC-1002 in a previous clinical study