New Cholesterol Drug Packs a Double-Punch

The FDA just approved Simcor, a breakthrough new drug from Abbott Laboratories that is said to increase good cholesterol (HDL) while simultaneously decreasing bad (LDL) cholesterol.

Simcor achieves the double-knockout on cholesterol by combining simvastatin and Niaspan -- an extended release version of niacin. Abbott expects sales of the drug to top out at 500,000,000 -- which seems like an undestimate considering that the top-selling drug in the U.S. is currently a statin (Lipitor) and annual sales amount to $8.4 billion.

Four of the five top selling drugs in the U.S. treat either high cholesterol or heartburn, and annual sales for each amounts to no less than $3 billion.