Pharmaceutics

This page contains key pharmaceutical news on drug recalls, FDA clearance, safety communications and research. In cardiology, key pharmaceutic agents include antiplatelet therapies, anticoagulants, hypertension drugs, and drugs for heart failure and arrhythmias.

FDA approves new drug for genetic heart disease
Cytokinetics has secured FDA approval for aficamten, its new drug for the treatment of symptomatic obstructive HCM. Aficamten will be sold under the brand name Myqorzo.
Stem cell company acquires 2 cardiology practices, calling them ‘the first of many’
Hemostemix believes its new cell therapy platform can help treat peripheral artery disease, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy and other serious medical conditions. The company plans on scooping up multiple practices to conduct additional research and increase the use of its platform.
Semaglutide, other obesity drugs show potential to treat nondiabetic stroke
Much more research is still required, but a new meta-analysis in Stroke suggests these medications may provide valuable stroke prevention.
Beta-blockers do not benefit heart attack patients with a normal LVEF
The new meta-analysis included data from nearly 18,000 patients. Overall, patient outcomes were quite similar for patients who did and did not undergo beta-blocker therapy.
Oral heart failure drug receives FDA’s fast track designation
A clinical trial focused on patients with HFpEF is expected to be completed by July 2026.

DAPT during valve-in-valve TAVR may reduce stroke risk—more data still required

New research suggests there may be a cardiovascular benefit to considering dual antiplatelet therapy for valve-in-valve TAVR patients.

The universal screening of children for familial hypercholesterolemia can save lives

If familial hypercholesterolemia is not detected and treated early, it can lead to premature heart attacks and heart disease in young patients.

A new ACC consensus document of coronary inflammation calls for wider use of hs-CRP testing to identify more patients with residual heart attack risk, even if they are optimal statin therapy.

ACC calls for more screening in new scientific statement on inflammation

The document provides an in-depth look at the close relationship between inflammation and cardiovascular disease. "The time for taking action has now arrived," the authors wrote.

Vulnerable, but treatable: Semaglutide reduces symptoms in high-risk heart failure patients

Yes, even frail HFpEF patients see significant benefits when treated with semaglutide. Researchers believe these new data may help ease the minds of cardiologists everywhere.

FDA approves treatment of rare genetic disorder in children as young as 1 year old

Evinacumab-dgnb, sold by Regeneron under the brand name Evkeeza, can now be used to treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in much younger patients.

Mavacamten fails to boost outcomes for patients with nonobstructive HCM

The drug, already approved by the FDA to treat obstructive HCM, failed to outperform a placebo after 48 weeks.

Semaglutide tops dulaglutide when treating patients with type 2 diabetes and CVD

Researchers tracked real-world data from nearly 60,000 Medicare patients, highlighting the benefits of weekly injections of semaglutide.

Oral semaglutide linked to significant weight loss as Novo Nordisk awaits FDA approval

An oral version of the popular GLP-1 drug was associated with multiple benefits, including considerable improvements in BMI and waist circumference. Previous research found that it reduces certain heart risks in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Pharmaceutics

FDA approves new drug for genetic heart disease

Stem cell company acquires 2 cardiology practices, calling them ‘the first of many’

Semaglutide, other obesity drugs show potential to treat nondiabetic stroke

Beta-blockers do not benefit heart attack patients with a normal LVEF

Oral heart failure drug receives FDA’s fast track designation