STAT+: Failure of Novartis Lp(a) drug raises questions about cardiovascular strategy

STAT PlusPharma Failure of Novartis Lp(a) drug raises questions about cardiovascular strategy ‘This will leave a lot of people scratching their heads,’ says trial leader Manage alerts for this article Save this story for later Share this article By Elizabeth Cooney and Matthew HerperNov. 7, 2026 Elizabeth Cooney[email protected]Liz covers cardiovascular and metabolic disease, asking why we’re not doing better or even losing ground against the world’s leading killer. Send tips on Signal at LizC.22.Matthew Herper[email protected]Matthew Herper covers medical innovation — both its promise and its perils.

CHICAGO — Lipoprotein(a), a genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease carried by 1 in 5 people, is the target of novel therapies trying to cut down heart attacks, strokes, and deaths in those at risk. The growing field of research aimed at the particle took a hit earlier this year when top-line results showed an experimental drug reduced Lp(a) but failed to lower serious outcomes. More details of the study, funded by Novartis, were revealed Saturday at the American Heart Association’s scientific sessions and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.Advertisement In the Phase 3 trial, the drug pelacarsen dramatically lowered Lp(a), a mashup of lipids and proteins that at high levels can heighten the risk of severe heart problems.

But despite lower Lp(a), the HORIZON trial showed no difference in heart attacks, strokes, urgent coronary revascularization, or deaths in participants followed for almost five years who were randomly selected to take the drug or a placebo. 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 pharma industry — by subscribing to STAT+.

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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 cardiovascular disease, Clinical trials, drug development, genetics, research, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Elizabeth Cooney Cardiovascular Disease Reporter Liz covers cardiovascular and metabolic disease, asking why we’re not doing better or even losing ground against the world’s leading killer. Send tips on Signal at LizC.22.

Matthew Herper Senior Writer, Medicine, Editorial Director of Events Matthew Herper covers medical innovation — both its promise and its perils. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Health November 7, 2026 STAT Plus: Despite Novo drug’s failure, cardiologists say they will still pursue anti-inflammatories Biotech November 6, 2026 STAT Plus: New tumor cases show common gene therapy tool can come with risk Advertisement The Readout November 6, 2026 STAT Plus: Amgen’s Repatha linked to fewer heart attacks Pharmalot November 5, 2026 STAT Plus: Novartis cites cases of previously unknown tumors possibly tied to its SMA gene therapy The Readout November 5, 2026 STAT Plus: A possible comeback for a failed sickle cell gene therapy Subscriber Picks