Story perspectives

Novartis’ pelacarsen fails Phase 3 cardiovascular trial

9/7/2026

Summary

Novartis Fails Trial

Novartis reported that its heart drug pelacarsen failed to reduce cardiovascular events.
The phase-3 Lp(a)HORIZON trial enrolled over 8,000 patients and lowered Lp(a) but did not improve outcomes.
Shares fell up to 3.9% in early Zurich trading, heightening pressure as $4 billion in patents may be lost.
Jefferies warned the result raises doubt about any Lp(a)-lowering therapy’s cardiovascular benefit.

Summary

Novartis Licenses Pelacarsen

Novartis licensed pelacarsen from Ionis Pharmaceuticals in 2019, paying $150 million upfront and up to $675 million in milestones.
Ionis receives royalties on pelacarsen sales as the original antisense therapy developer.
Amgen and Eli Lilly siRNA candidates have achieved over 90% Lp(a) reductions, raising Phase 3 expectations.
The ACCLAIM-Lp(a) outcomes study plans to enroll about 17,300 patients and finish by March 2029.
Ionis’ ASO eplontersen, partnered with AstraZeneca, failed in a Phase 3 ATTR-CM trial.

1 of 2

Novartis Fails Trial

Novartis reported that its heart drug pelacarsen failed to reduce cardiovascular events.
The phase-3 Lp(a)HORIZON trial enrolled over 8,000 patients and lowered Lp(a) but did not improve outcomes.
Shares fell up to 3.9% in early Zurich trading, heightening pressure as $4 billion in patents may be lost.
Jefferies warned the result raises doubt about any Lp(a)-lowering therapy’s cardiovascular benefit.

1 / 2