Atherosclerosis
Pipeline by Development Stage
Drug Modality Breakdown
Atherosclerosis is a $3.5B market dominated by secondary-indication products, representing a mature cardiovascular segment with limited primary-indication development.
Key Trends
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) captures 67% market share despite atherosclerosis being a secondary indication, indicating cross-indication revenue attribution challenges
- Lipid-modifying agents (VASCEPA, statins, bempedoic acid) comprise the core atherosclerosis-specific pipeline but face patent cliff erosion through 2030
- Clinical trial activity remains robust (269 trials across all phases) but heavily weighted toward Phase 4 post-market surveillance (48 trials) rather than Phase 3 pivotal trials (29 trials)
Career Verdict
Atherosclerosis specialization offers stable, well-paid employment in a mature market but limited growth upside; better suited for professionals seeking established commercial roles rather than innovation-driven careers.
AI-generated market analysis based on FDA, CMS, ClinicalTrials.gov, and hiring data
Market Leaders
| # | Product | Company | Revenue | Share | Stage | Trend | LOE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VASCEPA (icosapent ethyl) | Inpharmus | $764M | 22% | PEAK | Stable | 7.1yr |
| 2 | LEVEMIR FLEXTOUCH (insulin detemir) | Novo Nordisk | $184M | 5% | LOE_APPROACHING | Declining | |
| 3 | NEXLETOL (bempedoic acid) | Unknown | $46M | 1% | PEAK | Stable | 14.1yr |
| 4 | CRESTOR (rosuvastatin) | AstraZeneca | $39M | 1% | LOE_APPROACHING | Declining |
Drug Class Breakdown
approaching patent cliff 2033
mature, LOE approaching
early peak, patent protected through 2040
mature, LOE approaching
mature, off-patent
mature, LOE approaching
Career Outlook
StableAtherosclerosis represents a steady-state mature market with strong hiring in commercial and medical affairs but limited innovation tailwinds. The therapeutic area is dominated by evidence-based, cost-conscious payers who demand clinical differentiation and risk reduction data—creating sustained demand for Medical Science Liaisons, Outcomes Researchers, and Health Economics professionals. However, patent cliff exposure (VASCEPA $764M at risk by 2033) and reliance on secondary indications for market dominance signal plateau-stage maturity.
Breaking In
Enter via Medical Affairs, HEOR, or Clinical Operations to build cardiovascular credibility; atherosclerosis hiring is strong and provides stable entry into pharma, but differentiate yourself through outcomes research or payer strategy expertise rather than relying on indication-specific knowledge alone.
For Experienced Professionals
Experienced CVD professionals should prioritize Medical Affairs leadership or HEOR director roles at AbbVie, AstraZeneca, or Takeda where hiring is accelerating; avoid pure commercial roles as patent cliffs (particularly VASCEPA 2033) will compress sales headcount significantly.
In-Demand Skills
Best For
Hiring Landscape
Atherosclerosis specialization supports approximately 5,376 jobs across 15 companies, with hiring concentrated in Commercial (789 jobs, $246K avg) and R&D (430 jobs, $224K avg) functions. Top employers include AbbVie (1,245 open positions), AstraZeneca (1,141), and Takeda (1,106), signaling strong hiring despite market maturity. Medical Affairs roles command the highest salaries ($302K average), reflecting demand for clinical expertise in this competitive, evidence-driven therapeutic area.
By Department
Hiring remains steady across major pharma players, but job creation is primarily in support functions (commercial, field medical) rather than innovation roles; specialization offers employment security but limited advancement differentiation.
On Market (2)
Approved therapies currently available
Competitive Landscape
30 companies ranked by most advanced pipeline stage
Trial Timeline
Clinical trial activity over time
Showing 15 of 50 trials with date data
Clinical Trials (50)
Total enrollment: 56,906 patients across 50 trials
CHOCO-CABANA Trial
Assessment of Atherosclerotic Plaque Characteristics Change by DCE-MRI With Alirocumab
Rivaroxaban Versus Warfarin in the Evaluation of Progression of Coronary Calcium
The Effect of Atorvastatin and Pioglitazone on Carotid Atherosclerosis With the Use of Positron Emission Tomography-computed Tomography (PET-CT)
Omacor for the Treatment of Vascular Dysfunction in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Comparative Study of the Effect of Ezetimibe Versus Extended-Release Niacin on Atherosclerosis
Comparison of Co-administration of Ezetimibe Plus Simvastatin Versus Simvastatin Alone in Primary Hypercholesterolemia (P03476)
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Study (Reduction in Recurrent Major CV Disease Events)
PROMUS Element Japan Small Vessel Trial
A Prospective, Multi-center Trial to Assess an Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent System (PROMUS Element™)
Trial to Assess the Ocular Safety of Vorapaxar (SCH 530348) in Participants With Atherosclerosis (Study P05183)
Trial to Assess the Effects of Vorapaxar (SCH 530348; MK-5348) in Preventing Heart Attack and Stroke in Particpants With Acute Coronary Syndrome (TRA•CER) (Study P04736)
Trial to Assess the Effects of Vorapaxar (SCH 530348; MK-5348) in Preventing Heart Attack and Stroke in Patients With Atherosclerosis (TRA 2°P - TIMI 50) (P04737)
Rosiglitazone Versus a Sulfonylurea On Progression Of Atherosclerosis In Patients With Heart Disease And Type 2 Diabetes
Effect of Ezetimibe Plus Simvastatin Versus Simvastatin Alone on Atherosclerosis in the Carotid Artery (ENHANCE)(P02578)
The Role of R-Alpha Lipoic Acid in the Treatment of Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease
Aliskiren Effect on Aortic Plaque Progression
Efficacy and Safety of the ACAT Inhibitor CS-505 (Pactimibe) for Reducing the Progression of Carotid Artery Disease. This Study is Also Known as CAPTIVATE.
VEAPS: Vitamin E Atherosclerosis Prevention Study
EPAT: Estrogen in the Prevention of Atherosclerosis Trial
MARS - Monitored Atherosclerosis Regression Study
Clinical Trial for Dose Finding and Safety of RVX000222 in Subjects With Stable Coronary Artery Disease
Trial to Assess the Safety and Effects of Vorapaxar in Japanese Subjects With Acute Coronary Syndrome (P04772; MK-5348-016)
The Effect of MK 0633 in Patients With Atherosclerosis (0633-008)(COMPLETED)
Efficacy and Safety of Pactimibe in Patients With Atherosclerosis
68Ga-FAPI PET/MR for Atherosclerosis
Efficacy and Safety of Simvastatin-ezetimibe Combination Therapy Among Patients With SLE
Effect of Darapladib on Cantharidin-Induced Inflammatory Blisters in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)
Darapladib China PK
Pharmacokinetic Interaction of Darapladib and CYP 3A4 in Healthy Subjects
Study to Determine the Effect of Repeated Administration of Diltiazem on the Pharmacokinetics of Darapladib (Sb-480848).
To Estimate the Potential Effects of Repeat Doses of Darapladib on the Pharmacokinetics (PK) of Rosuvastatin as Well as Evaluating Safety and Tolerability in Healthy Volunteers
A Study to Assess the Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Tolerability of Repeat Oral Doses of Darapladib (SB-480848) in Subjects With Severe Renal Impairment
Pharmacokinetics & Safety Study of Clopidogrel 75mg and Aspirin 100mg Coadministration
Study to Evaluate Darapladib in Moderately Hepatically Impaired Subjects
Safety Study of BMS-844421 for Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia
Lipoic Acid and Prevention of Heart Disease
A Healthy Volunteer Pharmacokinetic Study of Single and Repeat Doses of SB-480848
A Study With Darapladib to Collect Tolerability Information
Phase I Study of SB-480848(Darapladib) -Repeat Dose Study in Healthy Japanese Male Subjects-
A Study Investigating Blood Concentrations Of Rosuvastatin When Co-administered With GW856553 In Healthy Men
A Study Investigating the Concentrations of Darapladib in Blood and the Safety of This Compound in Healthy Japanese Men
Comparison Of Two Tablet Formulations Of SB-568859
Study Of The Effects Of SB 480848 (Darapladib) On The Electrical Conduction Of The Heart
A Study To Determine The Effect Of SB-480848 On Asthma
A Study to Assess the Effect of SB 659032 on Platelet Function
Study on the Mechanism of Prevotella Copri Promoting the Occurrence and Development of Atherosclerosis
PET Imaging of Fibroblast Activation in Atherosclerosis
A U.S Post Approval Study Evaluating the SYNERGY XLV (MEGATRON) Stent System
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Key Insights
The information on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Drug information is sourced from FDA, DailyMed, and other government databases. Adverse event data from FAERS does not establish causation. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical decisions.