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.   

Patisiran, marketed under the name Onpattro

FDA chooses not to approve patisiran for treating ATTR cardiomyopathy

The announcement came just weeks after an FDA subcommittee voted in favor of approval. 

October 9, 2023
Merck is seeking FDA approval for sotatercept to be used as a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension

FDA grants speedy review to Merck's new drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension

The FDA is expected to base its decision in part on the STELLAR clinical trial, which included 163 adult patients treated with subcutaneous sotatercept and 160 patients treated with a placebo.

September 28, 2023
Tablet projecting metaphorical medical hologram

Bivalirudin linked to key benefit over heparin for NSTEMI patients undergoing PCI

The two anticoagulants are associated with similar mortality rates. However, a new meta-analysis in Circulation may have cardiologists favoring bivalirudin over heparin. 

September 26, 2023
artificial intelligence robot evaluates healthcare data. Novo Nordisk announced a new collaboration with Valo Health, a healthcare technology company focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to identify new drug treatments for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Novo Nordisk spends $60M on advanced AI in search of new cardiovascular medications

Novo Nordisk is working with Valo Health to identify potential new treatments for cardiometabolic conditions. If it proves to be a fruitful collaboration, the initial payment of $60 million will be just the beginning. 

September 25, 2023
Pills

Warfarin after TAVR is safe, but fails to boost outcomes

Researchers examined two-year data from transfemoral TAVR patients treated with low-dose aspirin and 30 days of warfarin or just aspirin on its own. 

September 25, 2023
Damaged Organ

FDA approves empagliflozin for treating chronic kidney disease

The popular SGLT2 inhibitor, sold by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company under the name Jardiance, has already been approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes and heart failure.

September 22, 2023
durbin-ama-opioid. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) have published new guidelines focused on the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with chronic coronary disease (CCD).

NOACs vs. VKAs in TAVR patients with new-onset AFib: New meta-analysis examines key differences

The biggest differences between the two treatment options were major bleeding events and all-cause mortality. There was no significant difference when it came to stroke risk. 

September 18, 2023

Long-term cannabis use may not increase heart attack risk, new study finds—but many questions remain

Access to cannabis is skyrocketing across the United States, but much more research is still needed on its long-term side effects. 

September 18, 2023