Novartis' Pelacarsen Fails to Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Phase III Trial

Novartis announced that its investigational drug pelacarsen, designed to lower lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), did not meet its primary endpoint of reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in the Phase III Lp(a)HORIZON trial. While pelacarsen successfully lowered Lp(a) levels, this biochemical effect did not translate into a statistically significant reduction in clinical events, raising questions about the relationship between Lp(a) reduction and residual cardiovascular risk.