Novo Nordisk's Ziltivekimab Misses Late-stage Goal in Cardiovascular, Kidney Disease Trial

MT Newswires · 3d ago
08:15 AM EDT, 07/31/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Novo Nordisk (NOVO-B.CO) said Friday that its investigational drug ziltivekimab failed to reduce the risk of major adverse events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and inflammation during a late-stage trial. In the Zeus phase 3 trial, which evaluated once-monthly ziltivekimab 15 miligrams versus placebo, the drug did not lower the risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack or non-fatal stroke. The overall rates of adverse events and serious adverse events were similar between the ziltivekimab and placebo groups. The drugmaker plans to continue two ongoing cardiovascular outcomes trials evaluating ziltivekimab in patients with heart failure and in those recovering from a heart attack. The results are expected in the first half of 2027. Novo Nordisk said it will present the full results of the Zeus trial at an upcoming scientific meeting in 2026.