Novo Nordisk Reports 19% Weight Loss with Triple-Dose Semaglutide in Phase 3 Trials

Gelonghui September 15 | According to the Financial Times, in a clinical trial, Novo Nordisk tripled the dose of its obesity treatment drug, resulting in greater weight loss for patients. Semaglutide is marketed as Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes treatment. In two late-stage clinical trials, encouraging results were achieved when testing a 7.2 mg dose, compared to the currently approved maximum dose of 2.4 mg. The trials showed that patients experienced an average weight loss of 19% after 72 weeks. However, this result still falls short of the market-leading product tirzepatide, which is sold by Eli Lilly under the names Zepbound and Mounjaro. In trials of the highest approved dose, it demonstrated an average weight loss effect of up to 22.5%. Nevertheless, some experts have stated: "This additional weight loss is clinically significant, especially in regions where the price of high-dose tirzepatide has risen significantly. If priced competitively, the 7.2 mg dose of semaglutide could become a more economical alternative."