Novo Nordisk has terminated the HERMES and ATHENA late-stage clinical trials for its experimental drug, ziltivekimab. An independent data monitoring committee recommended the halt after concluding the studies had a low likelihood of success. The trials were evaluating the drug's effectiveness in treating patients with heart failure and inflammation.
This decision follows a July failure where ziltivekimab failed to reduce heart attack and stroke risks in patients with cardiovascular and kidney disease. These setbacks challenge Novo Nordisk’s strategy to build a cardiovascular franchise and reduce its reliance on GLP-1 blockbusters Ozempic and Wegovy. One final study testing ziltivekimab in patients recovering from heart attacks remains ongoing.