Novo Nordisk microRNA drug fluffs its lines in heart failure

 A microRNA-targeting therapy acquired by Novo Nordisk when it bought Cardior in a $1 billion-plus deal has generated disappointing results in a phase 2 heart failure trial.

The study, reported at the Heart Failure 2026 congress in Barcelona, Spain, found no benefit with CDR132L (NN6706) compared to placebo in the HF-REVERT trial, which enrolled 280 patients who had a recent heart attack and were in heart failure, defined by a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 45% or lower and elevated levels of the NT-proBNP biomarker.

The primary endpoint – left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVSVI), which is a measure of heart remodelling – was improved with CDR132L but was unable to show a statistically significant improvement over placebo, according to the investigators.

At a dose of 5 mg/kg, CDR132L achieved a change in LVSVI of 8.364% at six months, rising to 9.824% for a 10mg/kg dose, which was not significantly better than the 7.611% reduction seen in the control group.

CDR132L is an oligonucleotide-based inhibitor directed against a non-coding RNA called microRNA-132 (also known as miR-132), which is implicated in adverse heart remodelling. The drug is designed to act on several disease pathways simultaneously, including diminished contractility and overgrowth of heart muscle, fibrosis (scarring), and the formation of new blood vessels in the heart.

Novo Nordisk bought Germany-based developer Cardior in 2014, investing some of the cash generated by rocketing sales of its GLP-1 agonist-based therapies for diabetes and obesity.

"Despite progress made in the treatment of heart failure, a major unmet need exists for treatments that directly target pathophysiological processes," said HF-REVERT investigator Prof Johann Bauersachs of Hannover Medical School, Germany, at the conference.

"HF-REVERT represents the first randomised evaluation of microRNA inhibition to treat heart failure," he added. "There were no safety concerns, but also no significant difference in the primary endpoint between CDR132L and placebo. Investigations continue to assess whether certain patients with chronic heart failure, i.e., those with left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH], may benefit from treatment with CDR132L."

Novo Nordisk is running other phase 2 trials of the drug, including the 8212-Preserved study in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and LVH and the 8282-Reduced study in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and LVH, which are both expected to generate results next year.

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/novo-nordisk-microrna-drug-fluffs-its-lines-heart-failure