Novartis’s large heart attack realted study meets endpoints

Novartis’s Phase III Cantos study of ACZ885 (canakinumab), one of the largest in the company’s history, combined with standard of care in people with a prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis has met the primary endpoint.

With more than 10,000 patients enrolled in the study over the last six years, Cantos is one of the largest and longest-running clinical trials in Novartis’ history.

The Cantos study showed that when used in combination with standard of care ACZ885 reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and non-fatal stroke, in patients with a prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis. The full data from the study will be submitted for presentation at a medical congress and for peer reviewed publication later this year.

Vas Narasimhan, Global Head, Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis, said: “Despite current treatment, about 25 percent of heart attack survivors will have another cardiovascular event within five years, making the outcome of the CANTOS study a promising new development for patients. ACZ885 is the first and only investigational agent which has shown that selectively targeting inflammation reduces cardiovascular risk. Our priority now is to thoroughly analyze these important data and discuss them with regulatory agencies.”