Novo Nordisk halts two more ziltivekimab heart trials

Danish pharma major Novo Nordisk (NOV: N) has stopped two late-stage trials of ziltivekimab early, narrowing the future of a drug once seen as its best route beyond diabetes and obesity. Investigators were told on September 4 that the HERMES and ATHENA studies would end, and the company confirmed the decision on Monday.

The move followed a recommendation from the trials' independent data monitoring committee, which reviewed the totality of the evidence and concluded there was little chance of either study producing a different result from ZEUS, the Phase III trial that failed in July. Novo Nordisk said patients will be followed to their scheduled three-month visits.