Leveraging ClarityNav to Decode Key Cardiovascular Insights from ACC 2025: Expanding the Footprint of GLP-1s

In 2025, GLP-1 therapies continue to stand out due to new data, but also for how their role is being redefined. Data from ACC 2025, supports the positioning of GLP-1s as foundational cardiometabolic therapies, with proven potential in:

• Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD)
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• Cardiac rhythm management

We used ClarityNav to analyze over 11,000 data points from conference abstracts and social platforms like LinkedIn and X to explore this evolution and surface the most compelling clinical signals, perception shifts, and strategic whitespace for life sciences teams to consider. This post explores how that scientific narrative is evolving, how expert framing is shifting, and where the conversation may be headed next.

Scientific Momentum is Building Across Traditional and Emerging Domains

Among the scientific data, the SOUL trial was a focal point, demonstrating a 14% reduction in MACE among high-risk patients with T2D, ASCVD, and/or CKD; notably, this marked the first significant outcome for an oral GLP-1 therapy. These results validated the class’s cardiovascular potential while emphasizing the real-world advantages of oral delivery.

Complementing SOUL, the STRIDE trial showed semaglutide improved walking distance, symptoms, and ankle-brachial index in patients with PAD, potentially redefining care standards for a patient population with limited pharmacologic options and significant functional burden.

Beyond atherosclerosis, GLP-1s showed promise in rhythm management. Studies linked their use to lower risks of atrial fibrillation, cardioversion, and stroke in patients with T2D. Another real-world analysis reported reduced incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and cardiogenic shock, suggesting value in broader electrophysiologic risk reduction.

Exploratory abstracts also suggested future expansion into cardio-oncology, with early data indicating that GLP-1s may mitigate chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, particularly from anthracyclines and 5-FU. Additionally, GLP-1s outperformed bariatric surgery across multiple CV endpoints, including MI, stroke, and AF, in obese patients, highlighting their relevance even in non-diabetic populations.

Social Sentiment Amplified the Scientific Message

On social media, commentary around GLP-1s was overwhelmingly positive. Clinicians described SOUL as “practice-changing” and STRIDE as a breakthrough in PAD management. The oral formulation drew praise for improving access and adherence. Sentiment strongly emphasized GLP-1s’ role in ASCVD risk reduction and PAD treatment, echoing major scientific themes.

However, ClarityNav analysis also revealed areas of disconnect. While scientific abstracts highlighted GLP-1 relevance in heart failure, real-world effectiveness, and health system integration, these themes were largely absent from social discussion. This suggests a perception gap, indicating clinical evidence may be outpacing broader awareness – a communications challenge and a strategic opportunity for life sciences teams.

The Race is Competitive and Fast; Where’s the Whitespace?

In a fiercely competitive market, finding whitespace for a company looking to include GLP-1s in their portfolio is not a small ask. Based on ACC abstracts, there are specific opportunities to strategically target that could add significant value.

First, targeting heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in non-diabetic obese patients; this is a large and underserved population with few effective therapies. Early findings presented at ACC show GLP-1s reduced mortality, hospitalizations, and HF exacerbations in this group, offering a compelling case for continued development. Companies could consider oral or tri-agonist GLP-1s to enhance adherence and efficacy and maybe using biomarkers like NT-proBNP to stratify high-risk patients for efficient trials. While the data presented was specific to T2D patients, there may be a possibility for combining GLP1s with SGLT2 inhibitors, which was shown to synergistically reduce atrial fibrillation, and could further differentiate an offering. This path leverages a growing market, strong data, and a niche focus to compete with established players.

Cardio-oncology also presents a high-impact niche. GLPs were shown to reduce anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and lower mortality in diabetic cancer patients. A possible combination with PCSK9 inhibitors or vericiguat could offer cardio protection synergies and provide additional support to cancer patients with diabetes or obesity.

Lastly, there is a promise in treating ventricular arrhythmias; GLP-1s were linked to improved mortality and hospitalization, which helps impact a high-mortality condition with limited options. By licensing a preclinical candidate and partnering with data platforms like TriNetX, a company could pursue early trials in cardio-oncology or exploratory VA studies and work to secure a foothold in the space race.

Strategic Implications: Consolidating Core Strengths, Exploring New Frontiers

Across both scientific and social spheres, the perceived value of GLP-1s in both primary and secondary prevention is rising, driven by ease of use, strong safety signals, and increasing relevance to frontline cardiology. For life sciences teams, the opportunity is twofold:

• Consolidate GLP-1s as a central pillar of cardiometabolic care, particularly in ASCVD, PAD, and CKD.
• Expand into underexplored areas such as arrhythmias, heart failure, and cancer cardiotoxicity.

Medical Affairs teams can take the lead in cross-specialty education, particularly in areas where cardiologists, endocrinologists, and oncologists intersect. Commercial teams will need to evolve messaging in parallel to bridge the clinical strength of recent trials with a broader, more future-facing narrative that keeps pace with clinician expectations.

Conclusion: GLP-1 Therapies are Reshaping Cardiovascular Care

GLP-1 therapies are quickly rewriting the lines between metabolic and cardiovascular care. ClarityNav helps stakeholders keep pace, revealing which angles resonate across channels and what questions remain unanswered. From framing CVOT evidence to preparing cross-functional messaging, ClarityNav supports smarter strategy across a shifting therapeutic category.

To learn more from our experts about optimizing your Medical Affairs strategy, contact us.