A new class of drugs is poised to take on an insidious cause of heart attacks and strokes that has eluded treatment for decades.

Researchers could know as soon as this summer whether the most advanced experimental drug, from Novartis NOVN 0.22%increase; up pointing triangle and its partner Ionis Pharmaceuticals IONS 3.63%increase; up pointing triangle, cut heart attacks, strokes and deaths in a study that could be used to get their drug approved by next year.