Novo Nordisk's anti-inflammatory candidate fails to cut heart event risk
Novo Nordisk reported that its experimental anti-inflammatory drug did not lower major cardiovascular events in a large Phase 3 trial, despite reducing inflammation markers.
In a pivotal study involving more than 6,300 participants with heart disease, kidney disease and inflammation, Novo Nordisk's drug ziltivekimab lowered inflammatory biomarkers but did not translate into fewer heart attacks, strokes or cardiovascular deaths. The company said the trial results were negative for the primary efficacy endpoint. Following the announcement, Novo Nordisk’s stock fell roughly 7 percent.
Why it matters
The failure challenges the growing belief that suppressing inflammation can prevent heart attacks and strokes.
In this story
Novo Nordiskziltivekimabinflammationheart diseasePhase 3 trialcardiovascular eventsshares drop