Eli Lilly Shares Rise as Experimental Drug Lepodisiran Reported to Lower Heart Risk Factor by 94%

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Drugmaker Eli Lilly’s lepodisiran may become its next blockbuster. The experimental heart drug just posted promising results in a midstage clinical trial, sending Wall Street buzzing. Investors are now weighing what this pipeline win means for Eli Lilly’s long-term growth, and whether it can solidify the firm’s leadership in the cardiovascular drug market.

Lepodisiran targets lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a genetic factor that raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. Roughly one in five Americans has elevated Lp(a) levels, but until now, there were no drugs to treat it. That changed after Eli Lilly announced that its highest dose of lepodisiran reduced Lp(a) by nearly 94% in patients with high baseline levels. The effect lasted for at least six months after a single injection.

Investors welcomed the news. Although the data was from a Phase 2 trial, the magnitude of the response was unexpected. Analysts say the results may position Eli Lilly ahead of rivals in a race to dominate an untapped segment of cardiovascular medicine. With multiple firms exploring Lp(a) therapies, being first with strong data could prove lucrative.

A New Frontier in Preventive Cardiology

While Lp(a) is not a household term, cardiologists have known for decades that it plays a major role in unexplained heart events. Because it’s determined by genetics, lifestyle changes rarely help. Until recently, patients with high Lp(a) had little recourse beyond aggressive cholesterol management.

The findings from the lepodisiran trial were presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. One shot of the highest dose reduced Lp(a) by over 90%, and the effects held up for nearly a year. There were no major safety concerns, and the drug was well tolerated by patients.

Eli Lilly now plans a large-scale trial to determine whether lowering Lp(a) also prevents heart attacks or strokes. That study is expected to conclude in 2029. If successful, lepodisiran could become a high-demand product for long-term cardiovascular risk management. This would also allow Lilly to expand beyond its current strength in diabetes and obesity drugs. Mounjaro and Zepbound have already driven impressive revenue growth, but investors are eager for a broader portfolio. Lepodisiran adds another high-potential candidate to the mix.

Stock Response Reflects Growing Optimism

Lepodisiran’s strong showing gave Eli Lilly’s stock a modest lift. Shares closed at $822.51 on Monday, rising 0.10%. While the gain was small, it helped push Lilly’s year-to-date performance up 6.5%. Analysts remain bullish, with most firms maintaining a “strong buy” rating. The stock’s 12-month price target now averages around $1,000. That suggests Wall Street sees more upside, driven not only by existing revenue but also by investor faith in Lilly’s drug development pipeline. Lepodisiran is now seen as a serious growth lever, especially if it earns approval before rival treatments.

The broader pharmaceutical market is also taking notice. Companies like Novartis are racing to develop monthly Lp(a)-lowering shots. But Lilly’s candidate, which works after a single injection and holds for months, could offer a competitive advantage in convenience and compliance.

For now, the science remains ahead of the regulatory curve. Experts caution that lowering a biomarker does not always guarantee a reduction in disease outcomes. Past efforts to manipulate other lipids, like HDL cholesterol, failed to reduce actual heart events. That’s why the next trial phase will be closely watched.

Still, the early momentum behind lepodisiran has captured investor interest. If successful, it could add billions to Eli Lilly’s future revenue and redefine preventive care for millions of at-risk patients.

Do you believe lepodisiran will become Eli Lilly’s next billion-dollar drug? Tell us what you think!

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