Pelacarsen cut Lp(a) 78% but failed to reduce cardiovascular events
A new drug called pelacarsen was supposed to help prevent heart attacks and strokes, but it didn't quite work out.
Even though it lowered a cholesterol-carrying protein called lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) by 78% in 8,350 people over five years, the number of heart problems didn't actually drop.
Novartis announced last month that the study hadn't met its goals, and Dr. Steven Nissen, a cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic, presented the first details about the study at an American Heart Association meeting in Chicago Saturday.
Experts: longer trials may be needed
Experts aren't giving up hope just yet. They think future studies might need longer trials or different approaches to see real benefits.
Other companies like Amgen and Eli Lilly are still working on similar drugs, so there will be more research results over the next few years.
The search for better ways to fight heart disease is definitely still on.