# Novartis and Ionis Cholesterol Drug Fails Trial

> Novartis and Ionis' cholesterol drug failed to reduce heart attacks in late-stage trial.
- Title: Novartis and Ionis Cholesterol Drug Fails Trial | Shortify
- Summary: Novartis and Ionis' cholesterol drug failed to reduce heart attacks in late-stage trial. Novartis and Ionis' experimental cholesterol drug pelacarsen failed…
- Keywords: novartis, ionis, pelacarsen, lpa, cholesterol, cardiovascular, trial, lpa horizon, lpa pathway, investor sentiment, hedge funds, market reaction
- Source: Yahoo Finance — https://finance.yahoo.com/healthcare/articles/novartis-nvs-ionis-ions-big-152119015.html
- Published: 2026-09-17T15:21:19+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: novartis, ionis, pelacarsen, lpa, cholesterol, cardiovascular, trial, lpa horizon, lpa pathway, investor sentiment, hedge funds, market reaction
## Trial Results
Pelacarsen failed to reduce heart attacks and strokes in the Lp(a)HORIZON trial with 8,000 patients.

> pelacarsen, an experimental drug from Novartis AG and partner Ionis Pharmaceuticals, failed to reduce heart attacks, strokes and related cardiovascular events in the Lp(a)HORIZON trial, which enrolled more than 8,000 patients
## Stock Impact
Novartis shares fell 5%, and Ionis shares fell 12% in aftermarket trading after the trial results.

> Novartis shares fell 5%, and Ionis shares fell 12% in aftermarket trading
## Drug Effectiveness
Pelacarsen lowered Lp(a) levels but did not reduce major cardiovascular events in the Phase III trial.

> The drug did lower Lp(a) levels as expected, but that reduction did not translate into fewer real-world cardiac events
## Market Opportunity
Lp(a) affects about 20% of people worldwide with no approved drug specifically targeting it.

> Lp(a) affects about 20% of people worldwide, and no approved drug specifically targets it
## Company Pipeline
Novartis has remibrutinib for multiple sclerosis with potential $9 billion in peak annual sales if approved.

> remibrutinib recently succeeded in a late-stage multiple sclerosis trial and could generate up to $9 billion in peak annual sales if approved
## Ionis Position
Ionis retains broader pipeline and commercial operations despite pelacarsen's setback.

> Ionis retains its broader pipeline and commercial operations even after the setback, while the firm's recent approval of Zanvastro for Alexander disease provides another commercial product and validates its focus on RNA-targeted medicines
## Investor Sentiment
Hedge funds increased stakes in Novartis but decreased in Ionis after the trial results.

> Hedge fund interest in Novartis AG actually grew heading into the pelacarsen trial failure, with 38 funds holding a stake at the end of the second quarter versus 31 in the first
## Future Outlook
Investors need to see whether rival therapies can prove deeper Lp(a) reduction prevents cardiovascular events.

> investors now need to see whether rival therapies can prove that deeper Lp(a) reduction actually prevents cardiovascular events
## Key takeaway

Novartis and Ionis' experimental cholesterol drug pelacarsen failed to lower heart attacks and strokes in a trial with 8,000 patients.