Leerink analyst Seamus Fernandez says Eli Lilly's (LLY) evacetrapib data presented at the 2016 American College of Cardiology Conference "clearly suggests" that CETP inhibition does not reduce cardiovascular events. Merck's (MRK) anacetrapib is the only CETP inhibitor left in Phase 3 development, but the analyst sees "little hope" for its success as Lilly's trial results "harken the end" for Merck's drug. Fernandez believes Merck's reveal trial is "likely to fail" either clinically or commercially. Amgen (AMGN) also has a CETP inhibitor and its Phase 2 studies are completed, but the analyst does not expect the company to take the asset forward.