Novo Nordisk's High-Dose Oral Semaglutide Shows Significant Weight Loss in Late-Stage Trials

Intelligent Finance APP learned that Novo Nordisk (NVO.US) said on Sunday that its high-dose oral Semaglutide medication can significantly reduce weight and improve blood sugar, which may make it a more convenient alternative to expensive injection treatments. Novo Nordisk plans to seek regulatory approval for this high-dose pill later this year, but its commercial launch and pricing have yet to be determined.

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in weight-loss medications. Currently, Novo Nordisk has three Semaglutide-based drugs approved by the U.S. FDA: Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Ozempic. These medications have gained popularity as effective treatments for weight management. Last year, the sales of Rybelsus reached $1.63 billion, more than double the previous year.

According to a late-stage trial of high-dose oral Semaglutide for the treatment of adult Type 2 diabetes, 25mg and 50mg tablets showed statistically significant weight loss effects compared to 14mg Rybelsus. Another late-stage study targeting overweight or obese individuals without Type 2 diabetes found that, compared to placebo, the 50mg Semaglutide tablet significantly reduced body weight (by an average of 15%). However, it is worth noting that many trial participants experienced mild to moderate gastrointestinal side effects, according to research findings presented at the American Diabetes Association annual meeting.

BMO Capital analyst Evan David Seigerman predicted that weight-loss drugs would account for about 15% of the entire market because "some people are just afraid of needles."

Just days before Novo Nordisk's latest announcement, competitor Eli Lilly (LLY.US) released the results of a Phase II trial for its obesity treatment drug Orforglipron, showing a 14.7% reduction in body weight among adults. This effect is comparable to the 68-week treatment outcomes of the injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist Semaglutide developed by Novo Nordisk. Additionally, the conference highlighted findings on the weight loss effects of Tirzepatide, another GIPR/GLP-1R dual agonist by Eli Lilly designed for Type 2 diabetes patients. The study suggests that Tirzepatide may be an effective weight loss option for obese individuals with Type 2 diabetes. After 72 weeks of treatment, participants experienced an average weight reduction of 15%.