All articles tagged with #pelacarsen
Novartis announced that its experimental drug pelacarsen failed to reduce cardiovascular events in a pivotal Phase 3 trial, despite lowering lipoprotein(a) levels. The setback has triggered a sharp decline in Novartis shares and raised concerns for competitors Amgen and Eli Lilly, though analysts suggest the broader hypothesis for Lp(a) therapies remains viable.
Novartis shares fell 3.6% after its experimental cholesterol drug pelacarsen failed to reduce cardiovascular risks in late-stage trials, despite lowering cholesterol levels. The setback heightens concerns regarding the company's patent cliff and upcoming muscular dystrophy trial. Asian markets rallied, with South Korea’s Kospi jumping 4.6% on tech gains, while European stocks opened lower. Oil prices rose as U.S. officials signaled a potential delay in an Iran nuclear deal. LG Electronics surged 8% on reports of a pre-IPO fundraising round for its robotics subsidiary.
Novartis announced that its experimental drug pelacarsen failed to reduce major cardiovascular events in a large Phase 3 trial, despite successfully lowering Lp(a) levels. The setback impacts the broader Lp(a) drug market, though competitors like Amgen and Eli Lilly continue their own trials.
Novartis announced on September 4, 2026, that its experimental drug pelacarsen failed to reduce cardiovascular events in the Phase 3 HORIZON trial. While the drug successfully lowered Lp(a) levels, it did not prevent heart attacks or strokes compared to placebo. This setback impacts the broader Lp(a) therapeutic field, though competitors like Amgen and Eli Lilly continue development.
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.
Lipoprotein(a), a genetically driven molecule linked to heart attacks, strokes, and valve disease, is poised to become a major target in biotech as firms race to develop Lp(a)-lowering therapies using siRNA and ASO approaches. The pivotal Horizon trial of pelacarsen from Novartis/Ionis is expected to read out soon and could trigger a surge in Lp(a) testing and treatment if positive, though questions remain about its ultimate market size and whether primary prevention is feasible. Competition is intensifying, with Amgen, Lilly, AstraZeneca, and others pursuing more potent or oral options, suggesting a broad, high-stakes field regardless of Horizon's outcome.