Bempedoic acid is a non-statin antihyperlipidaemic drug being developed by Esperion Therapeutics for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia. Based on positive findings in the phase III CLEAR clinical trial programme, bempedoic acid has been approved in the USA and in the EU as monotherapy (NEXLETOL® in the USA, Nilemdo® in the EU) and as a fixed-dose combination with ezetimibe (NEXLIZET® in the USA, Nustendi® in the EU). This article summarizes the milestones in the development of bempedoic acid leading to these first approvals.