STAT+: AstraZeneca, Ionis report major trial failure with heart disease drug

STAT PlusBiotech AstraZeneca, Ionis report major trial failure with heart disease drug The drug didn’t outperform placebo in a condition known as ATTR-CM Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Andrew JosephJuly 9, 2026 Europe Correspondent Andrew Joseph[email protected]Andrew covers the biopharma industry, scientific research, and public health across the continent. You can reach Andrew confidentially on Signal at drewqjoseph.71. LONDON — In a blow to its cardiovascular aspirations, AstraZeneca said Thursday that its drug for a heart disease — one that has become an increasingly competitive target for biopharma companies — failed in a pivotal trial. The drug, called Wainua, on which AstraZeneca is partnered with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, did not outperform placebo in reducing cardiovascular death and clinical events for patients with a condition known as ATTR-CM, or transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy. Advertisement AstraZeneca’s U.S. listed shares were down some 8% in premarket trading, while its London-listed shares were down 9% early Thursday. Ionis shares, meanwhile, were down 12% in premarket hours. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In cardiology, drug development, Pharmaceuticals, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Andrew Joseph Europe Correspondent Andrew covers the biopharma industry, scientific research, and public health across the continent. You can reach Andrew confidentially on Signal at drewqjoseph.71. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Special Report July 9, 2026 STAT Plus: The quest to save Grace — and clear the way for rare disease patients everywhere Politics July 8, 2026 STAT Plus: RFK Jr. plans to create list of injuries caused by Covid-19 vaccines Advertisement Health July 8, 2026 Bryan Johnson’s chronic disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose The Readout July 8, 2026 STAT Plus: Europe will accelerate its review of RevMed’s drug Biotech July 8, 2026 STAT Plus: Prime Medicine claims victory in dispute over gene-editing technology with Beam Therapeutics Subscriber Picks