Novartis’ Pelacarsen Fails to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk, Raising Questions About Lp(a) Class

Novartis and U.S.-based Ionis Pharmaceuticals said the RNA drug pelacarsen failed to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke or death in a phase 3 trial involving more than 8,000 participants. Although pelacarsen substantially lowered lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels, it did not reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events compared with a control group receiving standard treatment plus placebo. Novartis Chief Medical Officer Shreeram Aradhye said the results could help inform future approaches to cardiovascular care.