Global marketsUpdated November 7

Two heart drugs changed their target markers, not cardiovascular outcomes

The two drugs targeted different signals, but the full trial data landed in much the same place. In the seven-year phase III Lp(a) HORIZON trial, pelacarsen lowered Lp(a) by an average of 78%, but did not change the time to the trial’s major cardiovascular outcomes. ZEUS tested ziltivekimab in adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and high inflammation markers. Their inflammation markers fell, yet major cardiovascular events or death were not significantly different from placebo. The New York Times report leaves the question open: were the studies’ designs to blame, or the underlying ideas about heart disease?

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Coverage started November 7