Let's try that summary again:

Like you, I am sceptical of the earlier observations on the statins (small sample size effects).  Most likely possibilities if the RVX team is still positive about the CVD potential of this drug (an assumption, we don’t know if this is true but it appears so):

1. The overall reduction in MACE (even on Crestor) was less than expected

2. The expected overall reduction in MACE was observed but took place in the later stages of the trial, so that the time-to-event difference between the placebo and apabetalone arms was minimized and not significant at P=0.05.

Jupe