STAT+: Despite Novo drug’s failure, cardiologists say they will still pursue anti-inflammatories — SkimNews
Get the Health newsletter
Daily health & science — research, biotech, public health, the studies worth knowing. Free.
- ZEUS showed that ziltivekimab reduced levels of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 but did not reduce heart attacks, strokes, or deaths versus placebo in patients with severe illness.
- Novo Nordisk halted the HERMES and ATHENA trials after a data monitoring committee found in September that they were unlikely to succeed.
- ZEUS results were described briefly in July, then detailed on Saturday at the American Heart Association’s scientific sessions and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.
- Cardiologists said they will still pursue anti-inflammatories despite the failure of Novo Nordisk’s drug.
Why it matters: For Novo Nordisk, the setback is concrete: HERMES and ATHENA were halted in September after ZEUS produced no reduction in heart attacks, strokes, or deaths versus placebo despite an IL-6 drop. For cardiologists, the result separates biomarker improvement from clinical benefit, while their stated plan is to keep pursuing anti-inflammatories.
Ask SkimNews
