Novo Nordisk's heart drug ziltivekimab fails Phase 3 trial, raising doubts on inflammation-targeted therapies

Novo Nordisk announced that its experimental cardiovascular drug ziltivekimab did not meet the primary endpoint in a Phase 3 study. The trial was designed to see if the drug could lower the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular death in patients with atherosclerosis or chronic kidney disease.

The failure caused Novo's shares to drop about 10% and prompted a non-cash impairment charge in the upcoming quarter. The company acquired the drug through its 2020 purchase of Corvidia Therapeutics for $725 million, with potential additional payments up to $2.1 billion.

Ziltivekimab is part of a broader program testing whether reducing the inflammatory protein IL-6 can improve cardiovascular outcomes. Two other late-stage trials in heart-failure and post-heart-attack patients are still ongoing, with results expected next year.

The setback may also affect other biotech firms developing inflammation-focused cardiovascular medicines, as investors reassess the viability of this therapeutic approach.