Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic shows favourable weight loss results

Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic (semaglutide) is a once-weekly glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It received approval in the EU this year as a monotherapy to treat adults with type II diabetes when metformin is deemed inappropriate. It was also approved to improve glycaemic control when used in conjunction with other products.

The SUSTAIN 7 trial data showed larger weight reductions with Ozempic across all BMI subgroups and across all doses tested, compared with Ely Lilly’s Trulicity (dulaglutide). It also showed that there was generally a bigger weight loss in adults with a higher baseline BMI (>25 kg/m2) taking Ozempic than those with a lower baseline BMI (<25 kg/m2). Dr Adie Viljoen, SUSTAIN 7 chief investigator and consultant chemical pathologist, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust said: "Globally, up to ninety percent of people with type II diabetes are overweight or have obesity. Therefore, it is important to consider how to manage weight in this population. Based on the SUSTAIN clinical trial programme, Ozempic can help people living with type 2 diabetes manage their HbA1C and has the potential to help them lose some weight."