Novo Nordisk Expands Cardiovascular Ambitions With New Phase 3 Ziltivekimab Plaque Study

Novo Nordisk (NVO) announced an update on their ongoing clinical study.

Study Overview: Novo Nordisk is running a Phase 3 trial called “Effects of Ziltivekimab Versus Placebo on Coronary Atherosclerosis in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction,” looking at whether its anti‑inflammatory drug ziltivekimab can reduce plaque in heart blood vessels after a heart attack. The goal is to show that targeting inflammation can slow or reverse plaque build‑up, which could cut the risk of repeat heart events and open a new growth area in cardiovascular care for Novo Nordisk.

Intervention/Treatment: The study tests ziltivekimab, an injectable drug given under the skin once a month, against a placebo. Both groups receive standard heart‑attack care. Ziltivekimab is designed to lower vessel inflammation and plaque burden; it is not yet approved anywhere, so this trial is key for its future use and commercial value.

Study Design: This is an interventional study with patients randomly assigned to either ziltivekimab plus standard care or placebo plus standard care. It uses a parallel‑group design, meaning both groups are treated and followed at the same time. The trial is “quadruple‑masked,” so patients, doctors, study staff, and outcome assessors do not know who gets the active drug. The main purpose is treatment: to see if ziltivekimab improves heart vessel health after a heart attack.

Study Timeline: The study was first submitted on 27 November 2025, marking the formal start of the clinical plan for this program. It is currently recruiting, with the treatment period lasting about 15 months for each participant, making primary completion a medium‑term event for investors to watch. The last update was filed on 22 December 2025, signaling that trial details and status have been reviewed and remain current. Final completion will come after imaging and follow‑up are done and analyzed, which will be the key value‑inflection point.

Market Implications: For Novo Nordisk (NVO), this study extends its reach beyond diabetes and obesity into high‑value cardiovascular risk reduction, which could support a higher long‑term growth story and multiple if results are positive. Success would strengthen the case that inflammation‑targeting drugs can reshape secondary prevention after heart attacks, adding a new revenue stream alongside GLP‑1 therapies. The update that the study is active and recruiting should support confidence in the pipeline, though near‑term share moves are likely modest until top‑line data emerge. Competitors in cardio‑metabolic drugs, including large pharma peers focused on heart and kidney disease, will watch closely, as a positive plaque‑reduction signal could raise the bar for future standard of care and intensify R&D focus on inflammation pathways. This trial remains ongoing and updated, with more details available on the ClinicalTrials.gov portal.

To learn more about NVO’s potential, visit the Novo Nordisk drug pipeline page.