Novo Nordisk stops two cardiovascular trials of drug aimed at lowering inflammation

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1. 7d ago

   Novo Nordisk halts two phase 3 cardiovascular trials for ziltivekimab

   Novo Nordisk stopped two phase 3 cardiovascular trials for ziltivekimab, a drug designed to reduce inflammation. The terminated studies focused on heart failure and chronic kidney disease. This setback limits the company's ability to expand its growth beyond its current obesity medication portfolio. The company had positioned the ziltivekimab program as a potential blockbuster, but the early termination of these studies diminishes those prospects.

   Why it matters

   Ziltivekimab targets inflammation to treat cardiovascular issues. Diversifying beyond obesity treatments is a strategic priority for Novo Nordisk to sustain long-term revenue growth.

   What is confirmed

   • Novo Nordisk stopped two phase 3 cardiovascular trials for ziltivekimab.
   • The drug ziltivekimab is intended to lower inflammation.

   What to watch next

   • Official data release from the terminated phase 3 trials
   • Novo Nordisk's updated guidance on its cardiovascular pipeline
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. Fierce Biotech — Novo’s blockbuster hopes for CKD program dwindle after more phase 3 trials scrapped
   2. Reuters — Novo scraps two more heart drug trials, further dimming growth beyond obesity
   3. STAT — Novo Nordisk stops two cardiovascular trials of drug aimed at lowering inflammation
   4. FirstWord Pharma — Novo's hopes for ziltivekimab dwindle as two heart failure studies stopped early
   5. Clinical Trials Arena — Novo Nordisk’s ziltivekimab stumbles again on pair of Phase III terminations
   6. www.statnews.com — Pharmalittle: We’re reading about another Novartis trial failure, a Novo Nordisk setback, and more
   7. www.statnews.com — FDA names acting heads of drug and vaccine centers to permanent roles
   confidence 100%