On September 7, 2026, Reuters reported that Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) halted two additional trials of its experimental cardiovascular drug ziltivekimab, further denting the Danish drugmaker's efforts to diversify beyond its blockbuster obesity and diabetes franchise.
The move follows a July disclosure that ziltivekimab failed to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events in a late-stage trial. An independent data monitoring committee found a "low likelihood" that the two additional heart-failure studies would produce a different result from that earlier failure, prompting Novo to end them ahead of schedule.
Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) still has one opportunity to create value from its cardiovascular program. The company will continue testing ziltivekimab in patients recovering from a heart attack, with results expected in the first half of 2027. A successful outcome could give Novo another growth opportunity outside its obesity and diabetes franchise.
Novo's core obesity and diabetes business remains the much larger driver of its financial performance. The oral Wegovy pill has already generated more than 2 million prescriptions shortly after its January 2026 launch. It gives Novo an important growth opportunity as the company competes with Eli Lilly in the oral GLP-1 market.
The company can also preserve capital by ending trials that show limited prospects for success. An independent data monitoring committee found a low likelihood that the two heart-failure studies would produce different results from the earlier failed trial. Novo can redirect the resources it would have spent on those studies toward higher-potential programs.
#obesity #diabetes
The move follows a July disclosure that ziltivekimab failed to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events in a late-stage trial. An independent data monitoring committee found a "low likelihood" that the two additional heart-failure studies would produce a different result from that earlier failure, prompting Novo to end them ahead of schedule.
Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) still has one opportunity to create value from its cardiovascular program. The company will continue testing ziltivekimab in patients recovering from a heart attack, with results expected in the first half of 2027. A successful outcome could give Novo another growth opportunity outside its obesity and diabetes franchise.
Novo's core obesity and diabetes business remains the much larger driver of its financial performance. The oral Wegovy pill has already generated more than 2 million prescriptions shortly after its January 2026 launch. It gives Novo an important growth opportunity as the company competes with Eli Lilly in the oral GLP-1 market.
The company can also preserve capital by ending trials that show limited prospects for success. An independent data monitoring committee found a low likelihood that the two heart-failure studies would produce different results from the earlier failed trial. Novo can redirect the resources it would have spent on those studies toward higher-potential programs.
#obesity #diabetes
2 months ago
