Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of MK-0616 in Reducing Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Participants at High Cardiovascular Risk

Inclusion Criteria:

Meets one of the following:

1. Age ≥18 years with a history of a major atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event defined as at least 1 of the following: ≥30 days post MI (presumed Type 1 due to plaque rupture or erosion); ≥30 days post ischemic stroke (presumed due to atherosclerosis); or ≥30 days post successful peripheral (carotid or lower extremity) arterial revascularization (surgical or endovascular) or major (ankle or above) amputation due to atherosclerosis; or
2. High risk for first major ASCVD event defined as at least 1 of the following: Age ≥50 years with evidence of coronary artery disease; Age ≥50 years with evidence of atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease; Age ≥50 years with evidence of peripheral arterial disease; or Age ≥60 years with diabetes mellitus and at least one of the following: microvascular disease or urine albumin-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/mmol within 6 months before Visit 1, daily insulin use, or diabetes for ≥10 years

Has fasted lipid values (evaluated by the Central Laboratory) at Visit 1 (Screening) as follows:

1. History of major ASCVD Event: LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL (1.81 mmol/L) OR non-HDL-C ≥100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L)
2. High risk for first major ASCVD Event: LDL-C ≥90 mg/dL (2.33 mmol/L) OR non-HDL-C ≥120 mg/dL (3.11 mmol/L)

• Is treated with moderate- or high-intensity statin (± nonstatin lipid-lowering therapy [LLT]) at Visit 1
• Is on a stable dose of all background LLTs (including statin and nonstatin agents) for at least 30 days before Visit 1 (Screening) with no medication or dose changes planned during the participation in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has a history of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) based on genetic or clinical criteria, compound heterozygous FH, or double heterozygous FH
• Has New York Heart Association Class IV heart failure, last known Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ≤25% by any imaging method, or had a Heart Failure hospitalization within 3 months before Visit 1 (Screening)
• Has recurrent ventricular tachycardia within 3 months prior to randomization
• Has a planned arterial revascularization procedure
• Is undergoing or previously underwent an LDL-C apheresis program within 3 months before Visit 1 (Screening) or plans to initiate an LDL-C apheresis program
• Was previously treated/is being treated with certain other cholesterol lowering medications, including protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors without adequate washout.
• Has a fasting triglyceride value ≥400 mg/dL (≥4.52 mmol/L) at Visit 1 (Screening)
• Has history of severe renal insufficiency defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 at Visit 1 (Screening) or has end-stage renal disease on dialysis.