Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) stock plunged on Friday after the company announced disappointing headline results from its ZEUS Phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes trial.
The data revealed that its experimental drug ziltivekimab failed to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared to placebo in high-risk patients.
The trial evaluated once-monthly ziltivekimab 15 mg in patients diagnosed with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and systemic inflammation.
While ziltivekimab demonstrated successful target engagement and pathway inhibition by reducing free IL-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, this did not lower major cardiovascular risks, yielding a hazard ratio of 0.99.
Key ZEUS Phase 3 Trial Findings
The trial enrolled more than 6,300 participants featuring high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels of 2 mg/L or higher.
Researchers measured major adverse cardiovascular events based on cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, and non-fatal stroke.
Overall adverse events and serious adverse events were comparable between the ziltivekimab and placebo groups.
However, alignment with IL-6 inhibition led to a higher proportion of serious infections among ziltivekimab recipients.
No differences in all-cause mortality were observed between treatment arms.
Ongoing Trials
Nonetheless, the pharmaceutical company confirmed that the trial result will lead to a non-cash impairment charge during the third quarter of 2026.
Full results from the ZEUS study are scheduled for presentation at a scientific meeting later in 2026.
Meanwhile, two other phase 3 trials investigating ziltivekimab—HERMES in heart failure patients and ARTEMIS in post-acute heart attack patients—will continue, with data readouts expected in the first half of 2027.
Prior Trial Failures for Novo Nordisk
In February, Novo Nordisk shared underwhelming headline data from its REDEFINE 4, an open-label phase 3 trial.
The trial did not achieve its primary endpoint of demonstrating non-inferiority on weight loss for CagriSema compared to Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide after 84 weeks.
In November 2025, Novo Nordisk stock fell on topline results from the 2-year primary analysis of evoke and evoke+ phase 3 trials in early-stage symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.
The trials did not confirm the superiority of semaglutide versus placebo in the reduction of progression of Alzheimer’s disease, as measured by the change in Clinical Dementia Rating – Sum of Boxes score compared to baseline.
NVO Stock Price Activity: Novo Nordisk shares were down 7.98% at $47.50 at the last check on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo: Shutterstock
Login to comment