Novo Nordisk anti-inflammation drug misses in heart disease study
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STAT Plus<br>Pharma
Novo Nordisk inflammation-targeting drug misses mark in heart disease study
Novo, along with other drugmakers, has wagered that reducing inflammation can lower people’s risk of cardiovascular issues
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CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
By Elaine Chen<br>July 31, 2026
National Biotech Reporter
Elaine Chen
[email protected]
Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70.
Novo Nordisk said Friday that its investigational anti-inflammatory drug did not reduce the risk of major heart events in a pivotal trial, raising questions about the increasingly popular approach of targeting inflammation to prevent cardiovascular complications.
In a Phase 3 study that enrolled over 6,300 people with heart disease, kidney disease, and inflammation, the drug, ziltivekimab, did lower markers of inflammation, Novo said. However, that did not translate into a reduction in risk of major complications, including cardiovascular-related death, heart attack, or stroke.<br>Advertisement
Novo shares were down about 7% Friday.
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Elaine Chen
National Biotech Reporter
Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70.
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