Torcetrapib cholesterol-lowering drug molecule. Computer illustration showing the structure of a molecule of the anti-cholesterol drug torcetrapib. Atoms are represented as spheres and are colour-coded: carbon (large, white), hydrogen (small, white), nitrogen (blue), fluorine (green) and oxygen (red). This drug was being developed to treat high cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolaemia) and to prevent cardiovascular disease. However, its development was stopped in 2006 when phase III studies showed excessive mortality in the treatment group receiving a combination of atorvastatin (Lipitor) and torcetrapib.