In a significant development for diabetes management, recent research presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans reveals promising results for medications aimed at reducing common complications in high-risk diabetes patients. The studies focused on olezarsen and evolocumab, both showing potential in improving cardiometabolic health.

Olezarsen’s Impact on Triglycerides

Olezarsen, a medication designed to lower triglyceride levels, was evaluated in two phase 3 trials, CORE-TIMI 72a and CORE2-TIMI 72b. These trials involved over 1,000 patients, many of whom had diabetes. The results indicated that olezarsen significantly reduced triglyceride levels and lowered the risk of acute pancreatitis, a serious complication for those with diabetes. The study found that olezarsen reduced triglycerides by up to 64.8% and decreased the incidence of pancreatitis by 81% in patients with diabetes.

Evolocumab’s Role in Reducing Cardiovascular Events

Simultaneously, the VESALIUS-CV trial assessed the effects of evolocumab, a medication that lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL-C). This study involved over 12,000 patients at high cardiovascular risk. Evolocumab was shown to reduce LDL-C levels by more than 50% and decrease the risk of heart attacks by 35% in high-risk diabetes patients. The findings suggest that evolocumab could be a valuable addition to the treatment regimen for those with elevated cholesterol and diabetes.

These studies underscore the importance of targeting specific risk factors in diabetes management. As the ADA continues to lead the charge in diabetes research, these findings offer new hope for improved treatment options for millions of Americans living with high-risk diabetes.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.