Etavopivat phase 3 success: Novo Nordisk (NVO) advances oral sickle cell therapy
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Novo Nordisk reported positive topline phase 3 results from the HIBISCUS trial of once-daily oral etavopivat in adolescents and adults with sickle cell disease. Etavopivat met both co-primary endpoints, showing superior reduction in painful vaso-occlusive crises and superior haemoglobin response versus placebo.
People on etavopivat had a 27% lower annualised rate of crises, and median time to first crisis was 38.4 weeks compared with 20.9 weeks on placebo. At week 24, 48.7% of etavopivat-treated participants achieved a haemoglobin increase greater than 1 g/dL, versus 7.2% on placebo. Etavopivat also reduced the risk of blood transfusion and appeared well tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with earlier studies.
Etavopivat is a once-daily oral pyruvate kinase‑R activator designed as a disease‑modifying therapy for sickle cell disease, which affects around 8 million people globally. The drug has multiple U.S. FDA special designations and Orphan Drug status in both the United States and European Union. Novo Nordisk plans to seek the first regulatory approval for etavopivat in the second half of 2026.
Positive
- Pivotal phase 3 success in sickle cell disease: Etavopivat met both co‑primary endpoints in HIBISCUS, with a 27% reduction in annualised vaso‑occlusive crises and strong haemoglobin responses versus placebo.
- Regulatory momentum and special designations: Etavopivat holds Fast Track, Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug designations in the U.S., plus Orphan Drug status in the EU, and Novo Nordisk plans first approval submissions in the second half of 2026.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Etavopivat’s phase 3 success delivers strong, disease‑modifying signals in sickle cell disease.
The HIBISCUS phase 3 trial in sickle cell disease showed etavopivat met both co‑primary endpoints, which is rare for a first‑in‑class mechanism. A 27% reduction in annualised vaso‑occlusive crises, together with longer time to first crisis, indicates clinically meaningful benefit for patients who currently face limited options.
Nearly half of treated participants achieved a haemoglobin increase above 1 g/dL at week 24, versus a small minority on placebo, suggesting robust activity on underlying haemolytic anaemia. The exploratory reduction in transfusion risk and a safety profile aligned with prior studies support the overall benefit‑risk picture, though full data will matter.
The drug already holds Fast Track, Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug designations in the United States, and Orphan status in Europe, which can support review and potential incentives. Novo Nordisk plans to file for initial approval in the second half of 2026; investor focus will likely be on detailed efficacy and safety data when presented at a scientific meeting in 2026.
Key Figures
Key Terms
vaso-occlusive crises medical
pyruvate kinase-R (PKR) activator medical
haemolytic anaemia medical
Orphan Drug designation regulatory
adaptive design phase 2/3 trial clinical
Fast Track regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
FAQ
What did Novo Nordisk (NVO) announce about the etavopivat HIBISCUS trial?
How much did etavopivat reduce vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease?
What haemoglobin improvements were seen with etavopivat in HIBISCUS?
What is etavopivat and how does it work in sickle cell disease?
What regulatory designations does etavopivat have and when will Novo Nordisk seek approval?
How large is the sickle cell disease population relevant to Novo Nordisk’s etavopivat program?
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________
FORM 6-K
________________
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
April 20, 2026
________________
NOVO NORDISK A/S
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Novo Allé 1
DK- 2880, Bagsvaerd
Denmark
(Address of principal executive offices)
________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F
| Form 20-F ☒ | Form 40-F ☐ |
Etavopivat is the first in a new class of drugs to successfully meet both co-primary endpoints in the phase 3 HIBISCUS trial, substantially reducing vaso-occlusive crisis events and improving haemoglobin response in sickle cell disease
| · | Etavopivat showed a 27% reduction in vaso-occlusive crisis events and ~4-month delay to first vaso-occlusive crisis event on top of standard of care1 |
| · | Haemoglobin response was superior with etavopivat: 48.7% of people on treatment achieved an increase of >1g/dL after 24 weeks versus 7.2% on placebo1 |
| · | Novo Nordisk plans to submit for the first regulatory approval of etavopivat in the second half of 2026 |
Bagsværd, Denmark, 20 April 2026 – Novo Nordisk today announced the topline results from HIBISCUS, a pivotal phase 3 trial of once-daily oral etavopivat in adults and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). The results showed that etavopivat successfully met both co-primary endpoints, demonstrating superior reduction in vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) and superior improvement in haemoglobin (Hb) response compared to placebo.
Etavopivat is an oral, once-daily, pyruvate kinase-R (PKR) activator being developed to treat SCD, a seriously debilitating, life-threatening and life-shortening disease that impacts around 8 million people worldwide.
The HIBISCUS trial was a randomised, double-blinded, 52-week efficacy and safety trial investigating etavopivat 400 mg versus placebo in 385 people aged 12 years or older with SCD. Participants were allowed to receive standard of care treatment throughout the trial.
In the trial1, people treated with etavopivat demonstrated a superior reduction in the annualised rate of VOCs of 27% compared to placebo. The time to first VOC was significantly prolonged with etavopivat, with a median time to first VOC of 38.4 weeks versus 20.9 weeks for placebo.
____________________________________
1 Primary analysis of VOC based on negative binomial regression model with exposure time as offset variable. Primary analysis of Hb response based on exact Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test with missing data ascribed as non-responders. Time to VOC based on Kaplan-Meier estimates and a stratified log-rank test.
Page 2 of 4
In addition, etavopivat demonstrated a superior increase in the proportion of people achieving a Hb response greater than 1g/dL at week 24 of 48.7% compared to 7.2% with placebo, corresponding to an adjusted rate difference of 41.2%1. Further, as an exploratory analysis, etavopivat significantly reduced the risk of blood transfusion.
In the trial, etavopivat appeared to be well tolerated, with a topline safety profile in line with previous etavopivat trials.
“Sickle cell disease severely impacts the lives of millions of people. We are very excited that etavopivat has the potential to be a first and best-in-class therapy and transform the lives of people with sickle cell disease, who currently have limited therapeutic options,” said Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president, chief scientific officer and head of Research and Development at Novo Nordisk. “Novo Nordisk remains committed to collaborating with sickle cell disease communities around the world to drive innovation, advance health equity and improve access to treatment and care.”
Novo Nordisk plans to submit for the first regulatory approval of etavopivat in the second half of 2026. The detailed results from the HIBISCUS phase 3 trial will be presented at a scientific conference in 2026.
About Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of diseases driven by polymerisation of mutated sickle haemoglobin (HbS) in red blood cells. The two main hallmarks of SCD are haemolytic anaemia and vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs). Around 8 million people worldwide live with SCD, with the majority in low and middle-income countries. Approximately 100,000 people living with SCD are in the United States, as well as approximately 110,000 in Europe. The disease is characterised by several associated acute and chronic symptoms and complications such as acute chest syndrome, stroke, altered cerebral blood flow, multi-organ damage, and cognitive impairment. Despite recent advances in treatment, many people with SCD experience significant levels of pain and reduced lifespan by approximately 30 years compared to the general population.
About etavopivat
Etavopivat is a once-daily orally available small molecule allosteric activator of red blood cell (RBC) pyruvate kinase isozyme (PKR), a key enzyme in glycolysis. In SCD, PKR activation reduces 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) levels and increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Reduction of 2,3-DPG improves haemoglobin (Hb)-oxygen affinity, averting sickle haemoglobin polymerisation and subsequent sickling. The increase in ATP production helps preserve RBC membrane integrity and deformability, improving RBC survival. These disease-modifying effects have the potential to reduce VOC events and improve Hb levels.
Page 3 of 4
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted etavopivat Fast Track, Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug designations. Additionally, etavopivat was granted Orphan Drug designation by the European Commission based on a positive opinion from the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products of the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of patients with SCD.
Etavopivat was acquired as part of the 2022 acquisition of Forma Therapeutics.
About the HIBISCUS programme
The HIBISCUS clinical development programme investigates etavopivat as a disease-modifying treatment for people with SCD, with standard of care/placebo. The pivotal programme includes:
HIBISCUS - a 52-week efficacy and safety seamless, adaptive design phase 2/3 trial, comparing once-daily etavopivat versus standard of care/placebo, enrolling 440 people aged 12 years and over with SCD. Following the completion of the 12-week phase 2 interim read-out, the phase 3 dose was selected, and participants were randomised to the phase 3 main phase of the trial, which continued for 52 weeks.
HIBISCUS2 - a 52-week efficacy and safety phase 3b trial, comparing once-daily etavopivat versus standard of care/placebo, enrolling 408 people aged 12 years and over with SCD.
FLORAL – an open-label extension following participation in etavopivat trials. The study allows the collection of long-term safety data.
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 68,800 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Novo-B). Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NVO). For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Publication of inside information pursuant to Market Abuse Regulation, Article 17.
Page 4 of 4
Contacts for further information
| Novo Nordisk Media: | |
| Ambre James-Brown | Liz Skrbkova (US) |
| +45 3079 9289 | +1 609 917 0632 |
| globalmedia@novonordisk.com | lzsk@novonordisk.com |
| Novo Nordisk Investors: | |
| Michael Novod | Jacob Martin Wiborg Rode |
| +45 3075 6050 | +45 3075 5956 |
| nvno@novonordisk.com | jrde@novonordisk.com |
| Sina Meyer | Max Ung |
| +45 3079 6656 | +45 3077 6414 |
| azey@novonordisk.com | mxun@novonordisk.com |
| Christoffer Sho Togo Tullin | Alex Bruce |
| +45 3079 1471 | +45 3444 2613 |
| cftu@novonordisk.com | axeu@novonordisk.com |
| Mads Berner Bruun | Frederik Taylor Pitter |
| +45 3075 2936 | +1 609 613 0568 |
| mbbz@novonordisk.com | fptr@novonordisk.com |
Novo Nordisk A/S Investor Relations | Novo Allé 1 2880 Bagsværd Denmark | Telephone: +45 4444 8888 | www.novonordisk.com |
| Company announcement No 26 / 2026 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Date: April 20, 2026 |
NOVO NORDISK A/S
Maziar Mike Doustdar Chief Executive Officer |