June 9 (Reuters) - Merck ( MRK ) said on Monday its drug

met the main goal of reducing a type of cholesterol in two

late-stage studies.

The drug, enlicitide decanoate, is being evaluated as a

treatment for hyperlipidemia, a condition where there is

elevated buildup of fat in the blood vessels.

The company said the drug showed meaningful reductions in

the levels of LDL-C, or low-density lipoprotein, which is

commonly known as bad cholesterol.

Enlicitide was tested in patients who have a history of, or

are at risk for heart disease.