Trial failures of Novartis and Novo Nordisk heart drugs leave experts guessing
NVS•Novartis’ pelacarsen cut Lp(a) by 78% but did not prevent recurrent cardiovascular events in a trial of more than 8,300 patients. Novo Nordisk’s ziltivekimab lowered inflammation but failed to reduce major cardiovascular events in a 6,300-patient trial.
1. Pelacarsen trial results
Monthly pelacarsen treatment over a median of 4.7 years did not reduce deaths, non-fatal heart attacks, strokes or emergency procedures to unblock arteries among more than 8,300 patients with a previous major cardiovascular event. Adverse effects led 20.6% of patients taking pelacarsen to stop treatment, compared with 7.5% taking placebo.
2. Ziltivekimab also misses goal
Novo Nordisk’s ziltivekimab lowered inflammation in a trial of 6,300 patients with heart disease, advanced kidney disease and systemic inflammation, but did not reduce the risk of death, heart attacks or strokes. The company had ended two other late-stage trials of the drug after an independent monitoring committee concluded they were unlikely to succeed.
3. Experts call for more trials
Researchers said the findings raise questions about approaches targeting Lp(a) and inflammation, while cautioning that they do not rule out either target. Amgen’s Phase 3 results for olpasiran are expected in early 2028, and Eli Lilly’s results for lepodisiran are expected in 2029.
