Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy Demonstrates Positive Outcomes in Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Beyond Weight Loss

Novo Nordisk (NVO), a prominent pharmaceutical company, witnessed a notable surge of 13% in its U.S.-listed stock during early trading on Tuesday. This rise followed the company’s announcement that its obesity treatment semaglutide, known as Wegovy, successfully achieved its primary objective in a clinical trial assessing its efficacy in reducing cardiovascular events, extending its impact beyond mere weight loss.

The outcomes of this trial are particularly significant within the realm of obesity treatment, as noted by Wolfe Research in a preliminary analysis. Analysts, led by Dr. Tim Anderson, expressed their views in a client communication, emphasizing the considerable victory for not just Novo Nordisk but also for Eli Lilly (LLY) and the wider domain of obesity management. The analysts underscored the robustness of the results.

Novo Nordisk disclosed that a 2.4 mg dosage of semaglutide exhibited a 20% decrease in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) among adults with overweight or obesity participating in the Select trial, when compared to a placebo.

In its official statement, the company outlined that the double-blinded trial involved 17,604 patients aged 45 years or older, who had overweight or obesity, along with established cardiovascular disease but no previous history of diabetes. The trial evaluated the subcutaneous once-weekly administration of semaglutide 2.4 mg as an adjunct to standard care over a span of up to five years.

With the positive results in hand, Novo Nordisk intends to seek regulatory approvals to expand the labeling indication for semaglutide 2.4 mg in both the U.S. and EU by 2023. Furthermore, the company plans to present detailed findings at an upcoming scientific conference later this year.

Wegovy, along with a related product named Ozempic, also manufactured by Novo Nordisk, falls under the category of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Administered as once-a-week injections, these drugs have applications in treating both obesity and diabetes. The combination of these drugs with dietary and exercise regimens resulted in a substantial weight loss of 15.1% among adults with obesity or overweight and without Type 2 diabetes. This information was unveiled at the annual scientific conference of the American Diabetes Association in late June.

While these drugs have been recognized for their weight loss benefits, limited research has been conducted to ascertain whether they also contribute to reducing the risk of obesity-associated ailments beyond diabetes. The popularity of these drugs, alongside Eli Lilly & Co.’s Mounjaro, has sometimes led to supply shortages. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has even issued warnings against the use of counterfeit versions. Moreover, there’s a misconception, fueled by social media, that these medications are suitable for a broader audience seeking minor weight reduction. Unfortunately, this misconception has led to negative outcomes for some patients and have been cautioned by medical professionals.