Pharma giant Novo Nordisk recently presented the results from its Phase IIIb STEP UP trial, which assessed the efficacy and safety of all-star weight loss drug, Wegovy.
At the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, the company showcased data collated from obese patients without diabetes.
The findings show that a higher dose of Wegovy (7.2mg) could trigger a mean weight loss of 21%, with a third of participants losing 25% or more of their body weight compared with placebo after 72 weeks.
When assessing the impact of treatment regardless of adherence, people receiving Wegovy achieved 18.7% weight loss versus 3.9% with placebo.
Meanwhile, 90.7% of those on semaglutide achieved at least 5% weight loss, compared with 36.8% in the placebo group.
The drug's safety profile was also consistent with previous trials, with the most common adverse events being gastrointestinal.
Following the results of the Phase IIIb STEP UP trial, Novo Nordisk will file the higher dose of Wegovy for a label update in the EU, followed by regulatory submissions in other markets where it's approved.
“The STEP UP trial demonstrated that we can increase the dose of semaglutide and achieve greater weight loss than previously seen, and in line with semaglutide’s established safety profile. This may offer another option to people who do not attain their weight goals,” said Sean Wharton, lead study author and medical director of the Wharton Medical Clinic, Canada.
“We are already aware that semaglutide can have health benefits for people with heart disease, liver disease, knee osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. These findings help to give patients with obesity more options for improvements in their weight and overall health.”
“With these results, semaglutide reaffirms its significant weight loss for people with obesity. The STEP UP trial delivers a substantial weight loss of over 20%, in addition to health benefits previously demonstrated with semaglutide,” said Ludovic Helfgott, executive vice president of Product & Portfolio Strategy at Novo Nordisk.
“As pioneers in obesity, we continue to develop new innovative treatments to fit the needs and preferences of people living with obesity. This includes maximising the value of semaglutide for individuals, healthcare systems and society, and developing a new oral formulation of Wegovy that, pending FDA approval, can become the first GLP-1 pill to offer double-digit weight loss.”