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# Fewer Cardiovascular Drugs in Trials: Study
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fewer-cardiovascular-drugs-in-trials-study/
- Published: 2016-08-30T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T21:28:07.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Drugs, #legacy-id-D5136652

Harvard Medical School researchers say that over the past two decades, fewer investigational cardiovascular drugs have entered clinical trials across all stages of development. Writing in *JACC Basic to Translational Science*, the researchers [say](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452302X16300237?ref=fdaweb.com), however, that recently more therapies have targeted novel biological pathways and have been sponsored by small and medium-sized companies.

The productivity of translational research in cardiovascular drug development has recently come under scrutiny amidst concerns over the declining pipeline of novel therapies, the authors write. “Proposed explanations for the discrepancy between the slowness in innovation and burden of disease include the rising cost of conducting large cardiovascular outcome trials, stagnating financial investment, and diminished commercial attractiveness of the cardiovascular field owing to availability of low-cost generic medications,” the report says.

According to the researchers, most cardiovascular drugs fail in Phase 3 clinical trials due to inadequate efficacy or safety concerns, but they do not appear to be more likely to fail than drugs for other diseases.

“Given the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease globally,” the study concludes, “the declining pipeline of new therapies is concerning. Policymakers should focus their efforts on supporting research aimed at improving gaps in the understanding of the pathophysiological bases for cardiovascular disorders, as well as facilitating translational efforts to develop new cardiovascular therapeutics.”