Many MindedLowering inflammation marker IL-6 failed to protect hearts in ZEUS trial
Novo Nordisk's ZEUS trial tested the monoclonal antibody ziltivekimab in patients with severe cardiovascular illness. The drug lowered the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and two inflammation biomarkers. That did not translate into fewer heart attacks, strokes or deaths compared with placebo. Top-line results were first reported in July 2026. Full results were presented Saturday, Nov. 7, at the American Heart Association sessions in Chicago and published at the same time in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The setback is wider than one study. Novo stopped two other ziltivekimab trials, HERMES and ATHENA, after a data monitoring committee found in September that they were unlikely to succeed.
Why it matters: an anti-inflammatory route to cardiovascular care was one hope for treating heart disease in a new way, and potentially more cheaply. This result shows that moving an inflammation marker is not the same as improving outcomes, which slows that route and leaves patients with fewer new options.
What to watch: per STAT's headline and subhead, cardiologists at the meeting said they will keep pursuing anti-inflammatory approaches, including targets earlier in the inflammatory pathway. Our source is paywalled and we saw only its opening, so effect sizes, patient numbers and named experts sit with STAT's full reporting by Elizabeth Cooney.
Source: STAT