Lp(a) bets: Trio of pharma giants chase a genetic risk into a heart-blockbuster

Novartis, Amgen and Eli Lilly are racing to prove that lowering Lipoprotein(a) can prevent heart attacks. They’re in late-stage trials of pelacarsen, olpasiran and lepodisiran, which have achieved >80% reductions in Lp(a) so far, but it’s unclear if this lowers events; readouts are due mid-year for Novartis, 2027 for Amgen, and 2029 for Lilly. A successful outcome could unlock a multi-billion-dollar market—about $5.6 billion annually by 2032—though doctors say screening for Lp(a) remains uncommon and uptake will depend on solid outcome data.