STAT+: AstraZeneca, Ionis report major trial failure with heart disease drug

Article excerpt

LONDON, In a blow to its cardiovascular aspirations, AstraZeneca said Thursday that its drug for a heart disease, one that has become an increasingly competitive target for biopharma companies, failed in a pivotal trial. The drug, called Wainua, on which AstraZeneca is partnered with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, did not outperform placebo in reducing cardiovascular death and clinical events for patients with a condition known as ATTR-CM, or transthyretin-mediated amyloid cardiomyopathy.  AstraZeneca’s U.S. shares were down some 8% in premarket trading, while its London-listed shares were down 9% early Thursday. Ionis shares, meanwhile, were down 12% in premarket hours. Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…