Investigational drugs in phase II clinical trials for acute coronary syndromes

Introduction: Despite current guideline-based, secondary prevention strategies in patients with the acute coronary syndrome, the residual ischemic risk is still at an unacceptable rate, and there is a concomitant high bleeding event rate. These observations mandate investigations of novel treatment strategies to meet the unmet need to improve outcomes in patients with ACS. Areas covered: In this review, the author(s) focus on new agents with ongoing or recently completed phase II trials for the treatment of ACS. We searched MEDLINE and clinicaltrials.org for Phase II trials in ACS patients, and important original investigations are reviewed. Expert opinion: Some of the novel drugs evaluated in the Phase II trials hold promise for future therapies such as AZD5718, anakinra, tocilizumab, CSL112, MEDI 6102, inclisiran, PZ128, selatogrel, and RVX-208. Their efficacy and safety should be evaluated in large scale Phase III trials. The higher cost of the drug will be a major limitation for wide-spread use of novel agents in general practice in future.