The Heart Drug Pelacarsen Fails, Shocking Novartis and Cardiologists

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Novartis Pelacarsen Phase 3 Failure Challenges Genetic Cholesterol Theories

   Novartis experimental drug pelacarsen failed its Phase 3 Lp(a)HORIZON trial after failing to reduce strokes, heart attacks, or cardiovascular deaths. The drug successfully lowered the genetic cholesterol marker lipoprotein(a) by 80% in over 8,000 patients, but these biomarker reductions did not translate into clinical benefits. The results caused Novartis shares to drop 1.9%, erasing CHF4.9 billion in value, and triggered share price declines for Royalty Pharma, Amgen, and other rivals. Experts describe the result as a biomarker paradox that questions the efficacy of targeting Lp(a) after heart disease has already developed.

   Why it matters

   Lipoprotein(a) is a genetic risk factor for heart disease. This trial failure suggests that slashing this specific marker may not prevent cardiac events in vulnerable groups, such as South Asians. The outcome puts the entire class of Lp(a) drugs under scrutiny.

   What is confirmed

   • Pelacarsen failed to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular death.
   • The drug lowered Lp(a) levels in more than 8,000 patients.
   • Novartis shares fell 1.9%, resulting in a loss of CHF4.9 billion.
   • The drug reduced Lp(a) cholesterol by 80%.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Novartis suffered three clinical failures in one week that vaporized more than $40 billion in market value.
   • Targeting Lp(a) after disease onset may be ineffective for South Asian populations.
   • Royalty Pharma shares fell nearly 6% in Tuesday trading.

   What to watch next

   • Clinical trial results from Amgen or Eli Lilly regarding Lp(a) targeting therapies.
   • Novartis official statement on the biomarker paradox and future cardiovascular strategy.
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. finance.yahoo.com — Novartis pelacarsen Lp(a) trial fails, raising doubts for Amgen, Lilly
   2. english.gujaratsamachar.com — Novartis Heart Drug Fails Phase 3 Trial: Cutting Genetic Cholesterol Marker Fails to Stop Cardiac Attacks
   3. allsci.com — Novartis’s pelacarsen misses Phase III endpoint despite deep Lp(a) lowering
   4. finance.yahoo.com — Royalty Pharma Shares Fall After Novartis' Pelacarsen Fails Trial
   5. www.capitalbrief.com — Oil close to USD100 amid US strikes near Kharg Island
   6. www.yahoo.com — Doctors stunned after promising heart drug fails major study
   7. finance.biggo.com — Stephen Anson: Novartis's Pelacarsen Failure Puts the Entire Lp(a) Drug Field on Trial
   confidence 90%
2. 1d ago

   Pelacarsen Fails Late-Stage Trial, Jolting Novartis and Market

   Novartis shares fell 1.9 percent, erasing CHF4.9 billion after its experimental heart drug pelacarsen failed a late-stage trial. Although the therapy successfully lowered the targeted biomarker lipoprotein(a), it did not reduce deaths, heart attacks, or strokes. The failure missed the primary endpoint of the Lp(a)HORIZON study, shocking cardiologists and dealing a blow to expectations for this new cardiovascular treatment approach. Shares of related companies, including Amgen, also dropped following the disappointing results from the trial.

   Why it matters

   The failed late-stage trial evaluated the investigational cardiovascular therapy pelacarsen to see if lowering lipoprotein levels could prevent major adverse cardiovascular events in more than 8,000 patients. Instead of demonstrating a reduction in heart attacks and strokes, the trial forced investors to look toward upcoming pipeline tests. This setback disrupts previous confidence in targeting lipoprotein(a) as a viable strategy to manage heart disease.

   What is confirmed

   • Novartis shares fell 1.9 percent, erasing CHF4.9 billion following the drug trial failure.
   • Pelacarsen successfully lowered lipoprotein(a) but did not cut deaths, heart attacks, or strokes.
   • The late-stage trial failure missed its primary endpoint.
   • Amgen shares dropped following the disappointing trial results.

   What to watch next

   • Further market reactions and financial disclosures from Novartis and related companies like Amgen.
   • Decisions by Novartis regarding future investments in its drug pipeline following the trial failure.
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. finance.yahoo.com — Novartis Late-Stage Cardiovascular Outcome Study Fails, Stock Down
   2. www.briefs.co — Novartis Heart Drug Misses Final Test, Jolting Hopes for a New Heart-Disease Approach
   3. finance.yahoo.com — Novartis Falls 1.9% as Pelacarsen Failure Erases CHF4.9 Billion
   4. finance.biggo.com — Novartis Heart Drug Pelacarsen Fails Late-Stage Trial, Sending Shares Down
   confidence 100%
3. 2d ago

   Novartis Heart Drug Pelacarsen Fails Late-Stage Trial

   Novartis and Ionis announced that their experimental cardiovascular drug pelacarsen failed to meet its primary endpoint in a late-stage clinical trial. The Phase III Lp(a)HORIZON study evaluated more than 8,000 patients with elevated lipoprotein levels to determine if the treatment could reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared to a placebo. Instead of showing a reduction in heart attacks and strokes, the therapy missed its primary goal, shocking cardiologists and triggering stock selloffs for Novartis and related companies.

   Why it matters

   Pelacarsen was designed as a novel approach to lower genetically driven cardiovascular risk factors by targeting lipoprotein. The failure of the first Phase 3 outcomes trial for an Lp(a)-lowering drug raises significant concerns regarding the viability of similar therapies across the industry. Shares of Novartis fell more than three percent in Zurich following the announcement.

   What is confirmed

   • Novartis and Ionis announced that pelacarsen failed its late-stage Phase III trial.
   • The Lp(a)HORIZON trial enrolled more than 8,000 patients with elevated lipoprotein levels.
   • Pelacarsen did not meet its primary endpoint to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events compared with a placebo.
   • Novartis shares fell more than 3 percent following the trial failure.

   What to watch next

   • Broader industry implications and pipeline updates for other Lp(a)-targeting therapies from rival developers.
   • Further market reaction and stock performance for Novartis, Ionis, and Amgen.
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. The New York Times — Another Heart Drug Fails, Shocking Cardiologists
   2. reuters.com — Ionis, Novartis' key experimental heart drug fails in late-stage trial
   3. Bloomberg.com — Novartis Drug Fails Key Test for New Heart Disease Approach
   4. WSJ — Novartis Says Closely Watched Cholesterol Study Failed to Meet Goal
   5. Yahoo Finance — NVS, IONS, AMGN Stocks Drop After-Hours — What’s Driving The Selloff?
   6. fiercebiotech.com — Novartis Lp(a) drug fails to lower cardiovascular risk in closely watched ph. 3 trial
   7. en.ilsole24ore.com — Novartis shares fall in Zurich as cardiovascular drug fails final trial
   8. www.yahoo.com — Novartis’ pelacarsen fails to meet primary endpoint in Lp(a)HORIZON trial
   9. finance.yahoo.com — Novartis Shares Fall After Pelacarsen Misses Primary Goal in Late-Stage Heart Trial
   10. www.marketscreener.com — Novartis pelacarsen fails Phase III trial
   11. www.globalbankingandfinance.com — Novartis shares down as failed cholesterol drug study increases pipeline pressure
   12. blockonomi.com — Novartis (NVS) Stock Drops 3% as Pelacarsen Heart Drug Disappoints in Key Trial
   confidence 100%