Novo Nordisk shares fall as late-stage heart drug trial fails to reduce major cardiovascular events
Shares of Novo Nordisk fell as much as 10% on Friday after the drugmaker announced that a late-stage heart drug trial failed to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) compared to a placebo. The experimental medicine, ziltivekimab, demonstrated target engagement and inhibition of the IL-6 pathway, but did not result in a statistically meaningful reduction in MACE for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and elevated inflammation. Martin Holst Lange, chief scientific officer at Novo Nordisk, stated that while the drug did not achieve the hoped-for MACE benefit, it does not change the company's strategic commitment to cardiovascular disease. The trial involved over 6,300 people and showed similar overall adverse-event rates to the placebo, though serious infections were more common with ziltivekimab. The result removes a credible non-obesity growth opportunity for the company, reinforcing its reliance on commercial execution in the obesity market. Novo Nordisk will report second-quarter earnings next week.