Novartis Discontinues Development of Pelacarsen for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Novartis will discontinue developing Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ RNA-targeting therapy pelacarsen for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease after it failed to meet the primary endpoint in the Phase 3 Lp(a)HORIZON trial, reported in September 2026. Pelacarsen was designed as a monthly injection to lower lipoprotein(a), a cardiovascular risk factor. Novartis said a separate study of the drug in patients with calcific aortic valve stenosis will continue; the article provides no financial figures or stock-price impact.