novartis_headquarters

Novartis pulls off surprise success in cardiovascular risk

pharmafile | June 22, 2017 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing Novartis 

Novartis has posted positive news from the Cantos clinical trial study that saw its drug, Canakinumab, pull of a surprise result to reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues. The reason the results were not expected is due to the method of action of the drug, which reduces inflammation.

It is an approach that has not been proven to work before in studies and this is why the data is being met by some shock from industry analysts, who had the trial pegged as a failure. In reality, the drug met the primary endpoint of the study, which was demonstrating that it could be used in combination with standard care to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.

The cardiovascular events relates to a composition of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and non-fatal stroke – in patients with a prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis.

“Despite current treatment, about 25 percent of heart attack survivors will have another cardiovascular event within five years, making the outcome of the Cantos study a promising new development for patients,” said Vas Narasimhan, Global Head, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis. “ACZ885 is the first and only investigational agent which has shown that selectively targeting inflammation reduces cardiovascular risk. Our priority now is to thoroughly analyse these important data and discuss them with regulatory agencies.”

The full data from the study is not yet released but, as mentioned by Narasimhan, Novartis already plans to head to regulators. Novartis’ share price was boosted by 2% after the release of the results.

Ben Hargreaves

Related Content

Novartis shares new data about Fabhalta for IgAN treatment

Novartis has announced new results from a pre-specified interim analysis of its phase 3 APPLAUSE-IgAN …

chuttersnap-oijvdm3zx4i-unsplash

Novartis shares new data for Zolgensma in children with SMA

Novartis has announced new data to continue the support of the clinical benefits of Zolgensma …

Novartis to acquire MorphoSys AG for €2.7bn

Novartis has announced that it has entered an agreement to acquire MorphoSys AG for €2.7bn, …

Latest content