Novo Nordisk’s anti-inflammatory drug ziltivekimab fails to cut heart events, but cardiologists still eye inflammation pathway

Novo Nordisk reported that its experimental monoclonal antibody ziltivekimab lowered interleukin‑6 levels in the ZEUS trial but did not reduce heart attacks, strokes or cardiovascular deaths compared with placebo.

Following the top‑line results, the company halted two additional studies of the drug, named HERMES and ATHENA, after a data monitoring committee deemed further success unlikely.

At the American Heart Association scientific sessions, cardiology experts emphasized that inflammation remains a central driver of cardiovascular disease and that the negative outcome does not invalidate the therapeutic concept.

They said research will shift toward targeting earlier steps in the inflammatory cascade, seeking agents that can translate biomarker reductions into meaningful clinical benefit.