2026 Cardiovascular Catalysts: Lp(a) on the Horizon

2026 will put to the test a long-standing hypothesis in cardiovascular medicine: that lowering Lp(a) translates into fewer heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths. The target’s first Phase III readout is expected this year — a result that could reshape cardiovascular drug development for years.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:IONS) and partner Novartis AG (SIX:NOVN; NYSE:NVS) will present highly anticipated results from the Phase III HORIZON study of pelacarsen, an antisense oligonucleotide targeting Lp(a), in 1H26. If the trial is positive, Novartis plans to submit an NDA in the second half. ...