Phase III CANTOS study of ACZ 885 (canakinumab) showed a reduction of CV risk in patients with prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis.- Novartis

Novartis has announced topline results from the global Phase III CANTOS study investigating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ACZ 885 (canakinumab) in combination with standard of care in people with a prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis. With more than 10,000 patients enrolled in the study over the last six years, CANTOS is one of the largest and longest-running clinical trials in Novartis' history.

The CANTOS study met the primary endpoint, demonstrating that when used in combination with standard of care ACZ 885 reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and non-fatal stroke, in patients with a prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis. The full data from the study will be submitted for presentation at a medical congress and for peer reviewed publication later this year.

Comment:Despite current treatment, about 25 percent of heart attack survivors will have another cardiovascular event within five years, making the outcome of the CANTOS study a promising new development for patients. ACZ 885 is the first and only investigational agent which has shown that selectively targeting inflammation reduces cardiovascular risk.