Novo Nordisk highlights new positive clinical data for Saxenda

Novo Nordisk has announced new clinical trial data that further highlights the health benefits associated with its weight loss treatment Saxenda.

Three-year results from the phase IIIa SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial were presented at the first European Obesity Summit, indicating that early response to Saxenda resulted in improvements in weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Adults with prediabetes and obesity or who were overweight with comorbidities were randomised to receive Saxenda or placebo for 160 weeks, both as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Those treated with Saxenda who lost five percent or more of their body weight at 16 weeks experienced greater weight loss and improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors at week 160 compared with those who did not pass this 16-week threshold.

The drug was also shown to be generally well-tolerated, with observed side effects in line with previous trials.

Professor Sten Madsbad, clinical professor at the University of Copenhagen, said: "These findings demonstrate the predictive nature of an early response to treatment, which is important information that clinicians can use to identify those who are most likely to experience long-term benefits with Saxenda."