Novo Nordisk’s IL-6 inhibitor ziltivekimab failed in a late-stage cardiovascular outcomes study, with the company reporting negative results from the Phase 3 ZEUS trial. The drug did not reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients across atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and inflammation. In the report, Novo Nordisk said the regimen did not translate earlier inflammation biomarker effects into clinical event reduction. The disappointing readout sent the stock down nearly 9% to $47.10 in Friday morning trading. Novo had framed ZEUS as “high risk/high reward,” and analysts pointed to earlier mid-stage data showing reductions in C-reactive protein that did not carry through to outcomes. Novo indicated ziltivekimab remains in clinical development for other cardiovascular indications, including heart failure (HERMES) and acute heart attack (ARTEMIS), with readouts expected in the first half of next year. The result also highlights how difficult it has been to convert targeted inflammation biology into event-driven benefit in the cardiometabolic space.