Novo says women lost 25% of weight on CagriSema in analysis
Women in a large trial of Novo Nordisk's experimental obesity shot CagriSema lost 25% of their weight on average, according to CNBC. The figure comes from an analysis done after the trial ended. It assumes every patient stayed on the drug for all 68 weeks.
Women taking Novo Nordisk's experimental obesity drug CagriSema lost 25% of their body weight on average after 68 weeks, according to CNBC, which reported on a new analysis the Danish drugmaker released Tuesday.
The finding comes from two post hoc analyses, meaning they were done after a late-stage trial called REDEFINE 1 was finished and were not among its planned main goals. Novo said more work is needed to confirm them, CNBC reported. The 25% figure assumes that every patient stayed on treatment without a break.
In about 2,300 women with obesity or overweight, CagriSema was linked to 25% weight loss on average, compared with 3% for those on a placebo, the network reported. A second analysis of about 1,900 women grouped by menopause stage found average weight loss of 26.7% before menopause, 24.8% during the transition and 23.1% after menopause. Novo said in its release that menopause stage was estimated after the fact from age, medical history and symptoms.
The first results from the full trial showed that adults lost 22.7% of their weight on average, versus 2.3% on placebo, CNBC reported. About 67% of the roughly 3,400 people in the trial were women.
CagriSema combines semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, with cagrilintide, a drug that targets the amylin hormone, which helps control hunger. The drug is still investigational. Novo expects it to launch early next year, CNBC reported.
"Many women with obesity or overweight experience weight gain as they move through menopause," said Michelle Skinner Moore, Novo's interim head of clinical development.
Wall Street has not seemed excited about CagriSema, CNBC said. Earlier trial results disappointed investors.
What we know: Two post hoc analyses found women lost about 23% to 27% of their weight on CagriSema, assuming they stayed on the drug.
What we don't: Whether regulators will approve it. Only CNBC has reported this so far; NewsHabit hasn't seen independent confirmation.
Where outlets agree CNBC and Novo Nordisk's release both report 25% average weight loss among women at 68 weeks if all patients stayed on treatment, versus 3% on placebo.
Where they differ CNBC reports Novo's figures and notes earlier trial results disappointed investors, and no outside researchers have responded in the report NewsHabit reviewed.