This meeting, organized by The Knowledge Foundation Inc, brought together leading scientists from industry and academia and focused on therapeutic targets for patients with low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, for whom optimal therapies are lacking. The conference sessions included: (i) the genetics of rare and common HDL disorders; (ii) the role of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 in reverse cholesterol transport; (iii) the influence of the HDL-modifying enzymes, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), lipoprotein lipase, and hepatic lipase on HDL metabolism and atherosclerosis susceptibility; (iv) recent advances in research of scavenger receptor BI; (v) the role of nuclear receptors in the regulation of cholesterol and HDL metabolism; and, (vi) new drug targets for raising HDL. From the data presented, it was clear that a great deal of progress has been made in recent years with regard to our understanding of HDL metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport. This has ultimately led to the generation of promising new targets for the treatment of patients with HDL deficiency.