Novartis and Novo Nordisk see back-to-back cardiovascular trial failures, raising doubts for the field

Novartis announced that its experimental heart‑protective therapy, pelacarsen, did not meet its primary endpoints in a seven‑year study designed to cut heart attacks and strokes by lowering lipoprotein(a) levels.

Around the same time, Novo Nordisk reported a comparable disappointment in its own cardiovascular program, adding to concerns that the field may be facing a tougher landscape than anticipated.

Industry observers warn that the twin setbacks could curb enthusiasm and funding for future cardiovascular research, potentially slowing the pipeline of new treatments aimed at high‑risk patients.