// January
In January, XyloCor’s gene therapy showed promise for cardiovascular conditions, a reanalysis raised concerns about Amgen’s Repatha, Renibus’ cardiac surgery drug succeeded in a phase 2 trial, and AstraZeneca announced a $1.8 billion acquisition in the cardiovascular field.
Renibus Therapeutics’ lead candidate for patients undergoing cardiac surgery has sailed through a phase 2 trial, setting up the Texan biotech for a late-stage study in the coming months as it also unveiled a double-dose of CEOs.
AstraZeneca has announced its plans to acquire US-based biopharmaceutical company CinCor in a $1.8 billion deal, signalling the company’s interest in renal and cardiovascular therapies
A reanalysis of data from the FOURIER trial found a higher risk of cardiovascular death associated with Amgen’s injectable cholesterol therapeutic Repatha (evolocumab), according to a study published last month.
XyloCor Therapeutics’ lead candidate, a one-time gene therapy dubbed XC001, has met both safety and efficacy goals among 28 patients with refractory angina.
// February
In February, Veradigm and HealthVerity partnered to enhance research and patient care for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Meanwhile, the FDA rejected Cytokinetics’ heart failure drug, omecamtiv mecarbil, despite earlier promise.
With an innovative approach to treating heart failure, Cytokinetics touted a game-changing medicine that could someday become available for an elusive condition that effects more than 6 million in the U.S.
Today, Veradigm and HealthVerity announced a collaboration to advance research and improve patient care for those with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The collaboration makes Veradigm’s data from their Cardiovascular and Metabolic Registries fully interoperable with de-identified patient data from HealthVerity Marketplace, the nation’s largest healthcare and consumer data ecosystem.
// March
In March, AI and machine learning were explored for predicting cardiovascular diseases. GSK’s RSV vaccine received FDA panel backing. Tenax Therapeutics obtained a patent for IV levosimendan in pulmonary hypertension with heart failure. Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly’s Jardiance saw a 39% increase in sales due to its heart failure indications.
A group of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday backed a respiratory syncytial virus vaccine developed by GSK for use in older adults, increasing the chances the agency decides in favor of the shot’s approval later this year.
Tenax Therapeutics (Formerly Known As Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc.) Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TENX), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on identifying, developing and commercializing products that address cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases with high unmet medical need, announced today that the Company has been issued a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with claims covering the use of IV levosimendan in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension associated with HFpEF. U.S. Patent No. 11,607,412 is titled “Levosimendan For Treating Pulmonary Hypertension With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (PH-HFpEF).”
It’s been more than a year since Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly’s Jardiance became the first drug to score approvals for the two major types of heart failure (HF), opening a huge patient population and the potential for a sales bump.
Recent research from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, described how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) could be used to examine genes within DNA, information that can help clinicians predict cardiovascular diseases such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
// April
In April, Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. completed enrollment for its ECLIPSE coronary trial, aiming to evaluate treatment strategies for patients with severely calcified coronary lesions, with results expected in fall 2024.
Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., (CSI) (NASDAQ: CSII), a medical device company developing and commercializing innovative interventional treatment systems for patients with peripheral and coronary artery disease, announced today the company completed the enrollment of its 2,000 patient ECLIPSE coronary trial.
// May
Silence Therapeutics plc, Nasdaq: SLN (“Silence” or “the Company”), an experienced and innovative biotechnology company committed to transforming people’s lives by silencing diseases through precision engineered medicines, today announced that AstraZeneca has nominated the first product candidate under its siRNA (short interfering RNA) collaboration and will pay Silence a $10 million option fee to advance development on an undisclosed program.
// June
In June, Agepha Pharma’s LODOCO, a new cardiovascular inflammation treatment derived from colchicine, received FDA approval, targeting stroke and heart attack risks, addressing a major cause of global deaths.
Used by Egyptians 35 centuries ago as a remedy for inflammation, colchicine was found over the ages to be effective against a variety of maladies including gout, dropsy and familial Mediterranean fever.
AGEPHA Pharma has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for LODOCO (colchicine, 0.5 mg tablet) to treat cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease is a general term used to describe a disease that affects the heart and blood vessels. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, with statistics from 2019 stating that an estimated 17.9 million people died from some type of cardiovascular disease, making up 32% of all global deaths that year.
// July
Phase 3 data of BridgeBio Pharma’s heart disease drug have gone from “baffling” to elating, as new results extinguished a persistent flame of doubt encircling the biotech's larger clinical development plans.
Pfizer has licensed a preclinical cardiovascular program from Riparian Pharmaceuticals as part of an agreement that will also see the Big Pharma support further discovery efforts by the biotech.
// August
MedArrive, the leading mobile-integrated care provider, today announced a unique collaboration with Heartbeat Health, the largest tech-enabled virtual cardiology company in the U.S. which leverages data, device connectivity, and clinicians to deliver 24/7 on-demand cardiovascular services.
With seven posters and nine presentations on Farxiga over the weekend at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) scientific sessions in Amsterdam, AstraZeneca made it clear that it has lots to say about its SGLT2 inhibitor.
Novo Nordisk is continuing to seek out obesity assets, paying 15 million euros ($16 million) to snap up Embark Biotech in its second weight loss takeover in quick succession.
Novo Nordisk has again bought a weight-loss focused biotech, as the obesity market heats up. Announced Wednesday, the Danish pharma plans to buy Embark Biotech for $16.3 million up front with close to $500 million on the line in milestone payments—Novo’s second obesity-focused acquisition in three weeks.
Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss medication Wegovy (semaglutide) met its primary efficacy endpoint in the Phase III SELECT trial, demonstrating strong protective effect on cardiovascular health in overweight and obese adults without diabetes, the company announced Tuesday.
Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Keio University in Japan have developed a deep learning (DL) model capable of screening electrocardiograms (ECGs) for signs of atrial septal defects (ASD), according to a study published last week in eClinicalMedicine.
// September
In September, GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally used for diabetes and obesity, show promise in Alzheimer’s treatment. Bayer is investing in Kerendia’s potential for heart failure, planning new phase 3 trials to expand its use.
Approved two summers ago for chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes, Bayer’s Kerendia (finerenone) isn’t off to the flying start expected of a potential blockbuster.
There may be no hotter trend in biopharma right now than GLP-1 receptor agonists. Currently approved to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, this drug class has also shown potential in other indications, from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease to addiction, and recent studies suggest it may help tackle another big target—Alzheimer’s disease.
// October
In October, the congestive heart failure (CHF) drugs market is predicted to reach $13.5 billion by 2031 due to technological advancements. Researchers found inequalities in NHS heart care, urging government action.
The congestive heart failure (CHF) drugs market is projected to experience significant growth over the next decade, with its value expected to more than double from $6.7 billion in 2022 to $13.5 billion by 2031, according to a report by Transparency Market Research Inc. This expansion represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6% between 2023 and 2031.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have revealed several inequalities in NHS heart care in diagnosis and treatment of four of the most common heart conditions in the UK.
// November
In November, Novo Nordisk reported that its obesity treatment Wegovy can reduce the risk of heart attacks by 20% in patients with obesity and heart disease, unrelated to weight loss. Novo Nordisk aims to expand its presence in the cardiovascular market alongside its leadership in diabetes and obesity treatments.
Clinical trials have shown that lifestyle programs — which include diet, exercise, and behavioral coaching — can help people in danger of developing type 2 diabetes from tipping into a diagnosis of the condition. But there’s been a nagging question of whether such intensive regimens work in the real world.
Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy may reduce the risk of heart attack before the weight loss effects take place, the company revealed on Saturday (11 November).
Novo Nordisk, which has dominated the diabetes and obesity markets with its blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, now also wants to be a major player in heart disease.
// December
In December, Rocket Pharma is advancing gene therapy for genetic heart disease, aiming to cure rare conditions like Danon Disease with innovative genetic therapies.
Cardiovascular diseases are the world's leading cause of death, responsible for more than 18 million lives lost annually, 700,000 in the US alone. Cardiac disorders can be inherited such as arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and high blood cholesterol. However, as Dr. Gaurav Shah, CEO of Rocket Pharmaceuticals, likes to say, “DNA is not your destiny.” As a company on a mission to change the lives of millions of people who live with rare genetic diseases, Rocket has quietly transformed itself into a leader in the world of gene therapy, most recently reaching a major milestone for gene therapy and genetic heart disease.