Novo Nordisk shares dive 9% after heart drug trial fails

Novo Nordisk shares fell sharply on July 31, 2026, after the company announced that its experimental heart medicine ziltivekimab failed to meet the main goal of a late-stage clinical trial. The drug did not significantly reduce major cardiovascular events compared to a placebo in patients with certain diseases. The trial’s primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, and non-fatal stroke, known as MACE. While ziltivekimab showed some biological effect, it did not achieve a statistically meaningful reduction in these events, according to a company statement. Chief Scientific Officer Martin Holst Lange said the outcome does not alter the firm’s strategic commitment to cardiovascular disease. Copenhagen-listed shares dropped as much as 10% and were last seen down 8.6%, while American depositary receipts fell 9.8% in premarket trading. The failure is a setback for Novo Nordisk’s efforts to expand beyond its core diabetes and obesity treatments. Ziltivekimab is an interleukin-6 inhibitor being studied for its potential to lower cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic kidney disease and inflammation. The company had hoped the drug would offer a new option for a population with high unmet need. The trial’s miss raises questions about the pipeline beyond the company’s blockbuster GLP-1 drugs. Novo Nordisk has not yet disclosed detailed data or plans for further development of ziltivekimab. Investors will watch for updates on the company’s broader cardiovascular strategy.