.Novo Nordisk ziltivekimab failed to meet the primary endpoint in the ZEUS phase 3 trial aimed at reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and inflammation.
Ziltivekimab successfully inhibited the IL-6 pathway and reduced inflammatory markers, but this did not translate into a statistically significant reduction in MACE compared with placebo.
The trial showed a hazard ratio of 0.99, indicating no meaningful clinical benefit, and led to a non-cash impairment charge expected in the third quarter of 2026.
Despite the setback, Novo Nordisk is continuing two other phase 3 trials of ziltivekimab—HERMES in heart failure and ARTEMIS in patients recovering from an acute heart attack—with readouts anticipated in the first half of 2027.
Analysts have lowered their expectations for the program, viewing the chances of success in HERMES and ARTEMIS as increasingly unlikely after the ZEUS failure.
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