Novartis, Amgen, and Eli Lilly test drugs targeting Lp(a) to prevent heart attacks in late-stage trials.

Pharmaceutical giants Novartis, Amgen, and Eli Lilly are conducting late-stage clinical trials on drugs designed to lower lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a), a genetically determined cholesterol linked to higher heart attack risk. These drugs have shown they can reduce Lp(a) levels by over 80%, but the key question is whether this reduction translates into fewer heart attacks. Novartis expects initial trial results by mid-2024, which will be critical for the future of this drug class. If successful, these treatments could help millions worldwide and generate billions in sales, although widespread testing and adoption remain limited currently.