Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70.

Novo Nordisk said Friday that its investigational anti-inflammatory drug did not reduce the risk of major heart events in a pivotal trial, raising questions about the increasingly popular approach of targeting inflammation to prevent cardiovascular complications.

In a Phase 3 study that enrolled over 6,300 people with heart disease, kidney disease, and inflammation, the drug, ziltivekimab, did lower markers of inflammation, Novo said. However, that did not translate into a reduction in risk of major complications, including cardiovascular-related death, heart attack, or stroke.

Novo shares were down about 7% Friday.