01:16 PM EST, 01/31/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Ionis Pharmaceuticals ( IONS ) said results from a late-stage study of pelacarsen are expected in H1 2026 after a data readout from the phase 3 trial had been expected from drug development partner Novartis ( NVS ) this year.

"This update is based on the accrual rate of blinded events in the ongoing Phase 3 Lp(a)HORIZON

event-driven cardiovascular outcomes study that Novartis ( NVS ) is conducting in more than 8,000 patients," Ionis said Friday in a statement.

Ionis said the companies expect to seek regulatory approval of the medicine in H2 2026.

"Ionis remains confident in pelacarsen and the Lp(a)HORIZON study and its potential to show benefit in patients with cardiovascular disease and high Lp(a)," according to the statement.

Ionis licensed the drug to Novartis ( NVS ) in 2019.

Ionis shares fell 0.8% recent Friday trading, and Novartis ( NVS ) rose 0.3%.

Price: 33.06, Change: -0.26, Percent Change: -0.77