Novartis pulls off surprise success in cardiovascular risk

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.