Headline results from a REDEFINE-2 late-stage trial released earlier this month showed that Novo's next-generation CagriSema helped obese or overweight adult patients with type 2 diabetes lose 15.7% of their weight over 68 weeks, compared with 3.1% with placebo. According to company statements at the ObesityWeek conference in San Antonio this week, patients taking the treatment lost an average of 8.6 percent of their body weight in 16 weeks. Lilly's own obesity injection - sold as Zepbound in the United States and Mounjaro in other markets where it has launched - led to an average weight loss of nearly 23% in clinical trials. When choosing a medication for weight loss, it’s important to think about how it might affect other health conditions you may have. However, the addition of cagrilintide in CagriSema may introduce new side effects or change the intensity of those already known. Both CagriSema and Semaglutide can cause side effects, and knowing what to expect can help you make an informed decision about which treatment might be best for you. Technology has changed how we lose weight, bringing new tools to the table. A study shows the power of combining bimagrumab and semaglutide. This approach combines medications for better weight management. Combination therapies have many benefits for those with obesity. This method offers a more effective way to help patients. If you’re considering CagriSema for weight loss or diabetes management, don’t let fear of side effects hold you back. While CagriSema holds immense promise for weight loss and diabetes management, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects. Think of it as getting more bang for your buck — enhanced weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and potentially fewer side effects compared to higher doses of semaglutide alone. Novo clarified that if all patients adhered to treatment, the overall weight loss would be 22.7% at 68 weeks, with 40.4% of patients losing 25% or more. In December, Novo Nordisk revealed disappointing results from a late-stage trial of its experimental obesity drug, CagriSema, which caused a $125 billion drop in its market value. Novo Nordisk (NOVO-B.CO) is gearing up for a new Phase III trial of CagriSema, its next-gen obesity drug and potential Wegovy (semaglutide) successor. This latter way of measuring trial results, known as the “treatment-regimen estimand,” is considered a closer yardstick to real-world effectiveness. Wegovy reduced blood sugar by 1.8 percentage points and body weight 10%. They were randomized to receive a weekly CagriSema shot at two dose levels or weekly shots of Wegovy, cagrilintide or a placebo. It signals sustained investment in oncology, immunology, metabolic disease, vaccines, and chronic care—areas that continue to shape treatment standards worldwide. While smaller biotech firms often drive early innovation, it is the biggest pharmaceutical companies that ultimately determine which therapies reach global patients at scale. GLP-1 Analogues Market Size, Growth, Share & Trends Analysis Barclays analyst Emily Field said the market was having an “emotional reaction” to Novo Nordisk not hitting the 25 per cent weight loss bar that it had set. Martin Holst Lange, the company’s executive vice-president for development, said that only 57 per cent of patients had received the highest dose of the drug. Patients also lost an average of 14.2 percent of their body weight over 68 weeks, versus 10.2 percent for semaglutide. How these drugs work: appetite, hormones, and hunger signals But thanks to viral stories (looking at you, Joe Tippens), people are raiding their local farm supply stores and dosing themselves. Fenbendazole is a veterinary antiparasitic drug—meaning it’s designed to kill worms in animals. As of December 2025, WHO added these to their global guidelines but emphasized that fewer than 10% of people who could benefit will have access by 2030 due to cost and supply issues. Tirzepatide would need to be 30% cheaper, and semaglutide would need to drop by 80% to meet standard cost-effectiveness thresholds. Semaglutide, on the other hand, is well-established in its ability to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events and improve diabetes management. This section will explore how these two medications impact other health conditions like diabetes, heart health, and more. It’s essential to discuss these potential side effects with your doctor to determine the best course of action and to ensure that any side effects are managed effectively. Drinking plenty of water, eating smaller meals, and avoiding fatty or spicy foods can also help manage side effects. Phase 1 data Amgen disclosed in February suggested it might drive the most weight loss among tested drugs over 12 weeks, according to Stifel analysts. Semaglutide has a proven track record with more extensive data to support its effectiveness in helping people maintain their weight loss over time. The existing data is promising, indicating that CagriSema might help people maintain their weight loss over time. Enthusiasm for the experimental drug’s potential has driven Amgen’s shares higher this year — sometimes dramatically so. Cagrisema’s performance against Wegovy should give analysts a sense of how well it might also measure up against Zepbound, once the SURMOUNT-5 data are available. That study result helped Novo gain limited Medicare coverage for people with existing heart disease. CagriSema has shown efficacy similar to tirzepatide, another powerful GLP-1 receptor agonist, so it’s a competitor in the diabetes and weight management space. These results add to the growing evidence for GLP-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes treatment. The purpose of this trial is to confirm CagriSema’s combination therapy in obese patients. CagriSema is a late stage therapy by Novo Nordisk and looks promising for better outcomes in obese and type 2 diabetes patients. The global clinical trial programme consists of two pivotal phase 3 trials, which have enrolled approximately 4,600 adults with overweight or obesity. About CagriSemaOnce-weekly subcutaneous CagriSema is being investigated by Novo Nordisk as a treatment for adults with overweight or obesity (REDEFINE programme) and as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes (REIMAGINE programme). The trial achieved its primary endpoint by demonstrating a statistically significant and superior weight loss at week 68 with CagriSema versus placebo. Novo Nordisk unveiled the full results of two Phase 3 trials for its experimental obesity and diabetes treatment, CagriSema, at the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting in Chicago. Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analogue potentiating semaglutide’s weight loss effects. However, it remains uncertain whether the drug can regain investor confidence and carve out a significant share of this lucrative market. This trial will assess the drug’s efficacy over an extended duration with more flexible dosing strategies. However, fewer than two-thirds of trial participants were able to progress to the highest dose of the treatment after 68 weeks, raising further concerns about its long-term viability. Novo Nordisk stated that the drug was “well-tolerated,” with gastrointestinal side effects being mild to moderate and diminishing over time. Recent trial results have left investors disappointed, triggering a significant drop in the company’s stock price, which is now down nearly 50% from its 2024 highs. Cagrilintide is a nascent form of weight loss treatment which differs existing GLP-1s, such as Novo Nordisk''s Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound. The company’s dedication to further research and development may pave the way for future advancements in obesity treatment. The company plans to further analyze the trial data and explore opportunities for regulatory submissions. This tech helps doctors track progress and adjust treatments for better care. They monitor body changes, aiming to lose fat while keeping muscle. These devices give us important health insights, helping tailor treatments for better results. In results from a 68-week Phase 3 trial, participants treated with CagriSema achieved an average weight loss of approximately 20% to 22.7%. While demonstrating substantial weight loss, these results have reportedly fallen short of some investor expectations for a significant edge over existing treatments. Based on the results, Novo Nordisk is now planning to initiate a phase 3 development programme for CagriSema in people with type 2 diabetes in 2023. “We are encouraged by the impressive phase 2 results for CagriSema in people with type 2 diabetes,” said Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president for Development at Novo Nordisk. It’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and offering patients more options to achieve their health goals. Together, they create a synergistic effect, addressing multiple aspects of metabolic health for a more comprehensive and effective treatment strategy. Cagrilintide tackles appetite and slows down digestion, while semaglutide regulates blood sugar and insulin release. By combining these two medications, we may unlock a new level of efficacy without necessarily increasing side effects. Scientists have modified amylin to create cagrilintide, a more stable and long-lasting version. Health This guide is based on peer-reviewed clinical trials, FDA safety communications, WHO guidance, and large observational studies published between 2024–2026. Novo Nordisk is running another study called REDEFINE 11 that is focusing on a full dose of CagriSema and a longer treatment duration, and is also running a cardiovascular outcome study. Presenting results from the REDEFINE 1 and REDEFINE 2 studies at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) congress in Chicago, Novo Nordisk pointed to a good tolerability profile for CagriSema and encouraging efficacy as it prepares to file for approval of the drug in the first quarter of 2026. However, its success will depend on how it’s priced and positioned relative to Wegovy and Zepbound, both of which have already carved out significant market share. The drug’s ability to achieve these results with a once-weekly injection could improve adherence compared to more frequent regimens. Regulatory filings for obesity are generally expected once the phase 3 program is completed, but no firm approval date has been announced. Many of them are based on molecules originally developed for diabetes medications because the pathways that regulate blood sugar often overlap with those that influence weight. A recent report published in JAMA reviewed new data on three promising weight-loss medications that are moving toward approval or expanding use in the United States. High blood pressure is a common condition that often accompanies obesity and diabetes, and it can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.Participants who used Voy regularly lost up to 53% more weight compared to those who used it less often, showing that active participation really makes a difference.If prices continue to fall and volumes fail to pick up, the market may grow but with shrinking margins.Semaglutide, known as Wegovy and Ozempic, is a top choice for weight management.This primary data was collected through questionnaires, e-mails, online surveys, personal interviews, and telephonic interviews.While risks remain, its clinical data and strategic necessity make it a transformative catalyst for long-term growth.Despite the market reaction, Novo Nordisk executives have publicly expressed continued encouragement regarding CagriSema’s potential.Before starting any weight loss plan, it’s important to evaluate your thyroid function with a complete thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies) and discuss life stage changes like perimenopause or menopause with your clinician. Semaglutide has undoubtedly made a splash in the world of weight loss and diabetes management. This complementary action allows them to tackle weight loss and diabetes from multiple angles, enhancing overall effectiveness. But it’s being studied primarily for its potential in weight loss and diabetes management. This new combo, developed by Novo Nordisk, is designed to tackle both weight loss and blood sugar control—and it might just do it better than either drug alone. Ltd to expand oral obesity pipeline in US$30m upfront deal.These drugs may be best understood as long-term management tools for a chronic condition, much like antihypertensives for blood pressure or statins for cholesterol.A lot of research is currently happening in the field of long-acting amylin analogues, to develop novel weight loss medications with reduced gastrointestinal side effects.CagriSema represents a step forward in the evolution of weight loss and diabetes management.Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on...According to company statements at the ObesityWeek conference in San Antonio this week, patients taking the treatment lost an average of 8.6 percent of their body weight in 16 weeks.Despite beating the main efficacy goal of showing weight loss of 5% or more, the results are below expectations.Wednesday’s Q4 earnings release could shed more light on the vaguer aspects of the CagriSema trial.The results from the second pivotal phase 3 trial, REDEFINE 2, in adults with type 2 diabetes and either obesity or overweight are expected during the first half of 2025. A 5 kg weight loss can reduce the need for hypertension and diabetes medications, while a 5–10 kg loss improves conditions like steatotic liver disease, dyslipidaemia, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Only one study analysed the impact of cagrilintide on body weight compared to PCG. Data from 2 studies involving 262 individuals was analysed to find the impact of cagrilintide 2.4 mg on reduction in body weight compared to ACG. Only one study analysed the impact of cagrilintide on the percentage reduction in body weight compared to PCG. CagriSema combines the GLP-1 drug semaglutide, used in both Wegovy and the diabetes shot Ozempic, with a second product called cagrilintide, which acts on another metabolic hormone called amylin. The company’s top four brands—heart medication Entresto, immunology treatment Cosentyx, multiple sclerosis drug Kesimpta and breast-cancer-targeted Kisqali—all contributed to the growth big time, with sales rising 30%, 23%, 49% and 46%, respectively. • Spend tens of billions annually on R&D• Operate across the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets• Control multiple blockbuster drug franchises• Influence global drug pricing and treatment standards In the GLP-1 agonists market matrix, Novo Nordisk (Star) stands out as the leading player, supported by a strong product portfolio and global market presence, driving widespread usage in diabetes and obesity management. This can be attributed to the growing adoption of GLP-1 drugs for weight management, increasing approvals for obesity indication, and the convenience of administering these drugs in home care settings. These data support further investigation of CagriSema in this population in longer and larger phase 3 studies.One Eli Lilly–backed trial showed that Zepbound was better than Wegovy at helping users cut weight.The promising results stem from a phase III clinical trial coded REDEFINE 2—a 68-week efficacy and safety phase 3 trial of once-weekly CagriSema versus placebo in 1,200 adults with type 2 diabetes and either obesity or overweight.In comments to CNBC, however, Novo said that CagriSema had outperformed Wegovy in weight reduction and that its performance was "on par with best-in-class treatments."When evaluating the effects of treatment, people treated with CagriSema achieved a superior weight loss of 15.7% after 68 weeks compared to 3.1% with placebo.Phase 1 data Amgen disclosed in February suggested it might drive the most weight loss among tested drugs over 12 weeks, according to Stifel analysts.The company filed CagriSema for approval as a weight-loss therapy in December on the back of the REDEFINE 1 and 2 studies, which showed that 40% of people taking CagriSema achieved a body weight reduction of 25%, while 23% lost at least 30%.Obesity is a serious, chronic, progressive, and complex disease that requires long-term management.6-8 One key misunderstanding is that this is a disease of just lack of willpower, when in fact there is underlying biology that may impede people with obesity from losing weight and keeping it off.6,8 Obesity is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, social determinants of health, and the environment.9,10Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide-based drugs, Mounjaro (for diabetes) and Zepbound (obesity), have captured rapid demand and market share, pressuring NVO’s position in both obesity and diabetes markets. Real-world outcomes: what people are achieving The GLP-1 agonists ecosystem encompasses a network of interdependent stakeholders, including drug manufacturers, contract research and manufacturing organizations, healthcare providers, and end users.This makes it a promising option for people who need significant weight loss support.CagriSema combination therapy has shown impressive results in clinical trials, especially in weight loss.This once weekly injection is being studied for type 2 diabetes and obesity.This suggests that the combination of the two drugs in CagriSema could be more effective than Semaglutide by itself.Cagrilintide primarily targets appetite and slows down digestion, while semaglutide has broader effects on blood sugar regulation and insulin release.The study compared two CagriSema doses (2.4 mg/2.4 mg and 1.0 mg/1.0 mg) against semaglutide (2.4 mg and 1.0 mg), cagrilintide (2.4 mg), and placebo.The drug’s ability to achieve these results with a once-weekly injection could improve adherence compared to more frequent regimens. Investors are keen for updates on its oral obesity drug program, with approval expected later this year. Investors will watch closely for shifts in demand for Zepbound and the diabetes drug Mounjaro, as well as whether supply can meet demand without triggering deeper discounts. Cantor Fitzgerald’s Carter Gould noted the weight loss rivals Lilly’s Zepbound but flagged tolerability as the sticking point. Patients saw up to 12.3% weight loss at 28 weeks with monthly doses. These drugs, which mimic gut hormones to suppress appetite and treat type 2 diabetes, launched around $1,000 a month at pharmacies. This robust drug holds a lot of potential, but is not suited to most of Novo’s targets; maybe it's made for something more advanced. This was a clear indication that CagriSema been the strongest against semaglutide. Novo’s CagriSema played a major part in the Phase 3 REIMAGINE 2 study, where around 2,700 adults with type 2 diabetes participated. The company is devoted to research, best-in-class health solutions and perform patient centric responsibility in the first place. Benefits of Combining Medications The findings could represent a significant step forward in medical weight management, particularly for patients who struggle to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. While medications like semaglutide have already made headlines for their weight-loss benefits, this study suggests combining medications could push those results even further. Participants experienced gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, constipation) at rates comparable to those observed with semaglutide alone. While effective, the treatment was not without side effects. On the other hand, most healthcare providers are familiar with Semaglutide, given its longer presence on the market. Semaglutide, on the other hand, has been on the market for a longer time. At the time of writing, CagriSema is still going through clinical trials and regulatory processes in many countries. Many people find it easier to remember and stick to a weekly routine rather than taking a medication every day. They often come pre-filled with the correct dose, so patients do not need to measure out the medication themselves. This trial is sponsored by Novo Nordisk and is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study. Novo Nordisk is launching a Phase III trial to compare CagriSema to Zepbound, a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and cagrilintide is a dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist. Together they work synergistically to suppress appetite, regulate blood sugar and enhance metabolic function making it a powerful tool for weight management. It works by mimicking a hormone that helps regulate appetite, making people feel fuller with less food. On the other hand, Semaglutide has been around for a longer time and has already proven its effectiveness in many clinical trials. It works by targeting multiple pathways in the body that control hunger and metabolism. Semaglutide has the advantage of more established data, while CagriSema could potentially offer even better results as more information becomes available. However, the real test will be in the long-term data that is still being collected for CagriSema. In clinical trials, the dosages of CagriSema were carefully adjusted to find the most effective combination for weight loss. While both CagriSema and Semaglutide offer promising weight loss results, they come with a range of side effects that users must be aware of. This medication is used both for diabetes management and for weight loss. The studies showed that the combination of Cagrilintide and Semaglutide was more effective than either drug alone.This difference in dosing can affect a person’s ability to stick with the treatment long-term.Further research will be needed to confirm the long-term safety and cardiovascular effects of the combination drug.But how does Novo Nordisk’s CagriSema compare to currently available weight loss injections?Excitement is building around a new weight loss drug, CagriSema, which is expected to surpass the effects of popular drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.The Danish pharmaceutical giant faced pushback once again Thursday, as shareholders urged the board for clearer and tactically sound trials and targets in a bid to provoke less dramatic share price moves.Adult patients treated with CagriSema achieved a superior weight loss of 15.7% after 68 weeks compared to placebo. Targeting amylin for weight loss has led to the development of pramlintide, a synthetic analogue primarily used for glycaemic control in diabetes. Cagrilintide shows comparable weight loss to semaglutide/liraglutide with significantly lower vomiting. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can lower your risk of developing additional health issues related to diabetes and obesity, ultimately enhancing your quality of life. CagriSema represents a step forward in the evolution of weight loss and diabetes management. The drug combines semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, with another compound that mimics a metabolic hormone called amylin. Lilly has an outcomes trial called SURPASS-CVOT underway, but doesn’t expect to have data until next year. Any company that sponsors one is doing so with the knowledge testing could reveal its drug is equivalent to a competitor or, worse, less effective. Within the pharmaceutical industry, a multibillion-dollar race is underway to top Novo Nordisk’s and Eli Lilly’s in-demand obesity drugs. The Danish pharmaceutical giant said Monday that in the latest trial, patients were given a once-weekly jab over 68 weeks, with participants allowed to modify their dosing throughout. Ownership data provided by LSEG and Estimate data provided by FactSet. Real-time quote and/or trade prices are not sourced from all markets. To learn more about how we are advocating for everyone affected by diabetes, visit us on X (@AmDiabetesAssn). There are 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. FDA approves Novo Nordisk’s first oral GLP-1 pill Wegovy for obesity, offering an injection-free option and improving long-term treatment adherence. REDEFINE 4 – an 84-week efficacy and safety Phase III trial of once-weekly CagriSema versus once-weekly tirzepatide 15 mg in 800 adults with obesity. REDEFINE is a Phase III programme with once-weekly subcutaneous CagriSema in obesity that consists of two pivotal Phase III 3 studies, which have enrolled approximately 4,600 adults with overweight or obesity. REDEFINE II enrolled included 1,206 obese or type II diabetics with a mean baseline body weight of 102 kg. “With CagriSema, people are assuming the worst—on efficacy the drug is not better than Lilly’s tirzepatide, on tolerability that it is worse, and that it is harder to manufacture,” Barclays analyst Emily Field told Reuters.Martin Lange, the company’s executive vice president for development, said in a statement that the pharma is “encouraged” by these findings, which “support the weight lowering potential of this novel unimolecular GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist.”This could revolutionize how we treat diabetes and obesity, offering patients more effective options for reclaiming their health.Last week, Novo Nordisk launched an online pharmacy, Novocare, to allow consumers to purchase Wegovy directly from the company at a discounted price of $499 a month.The next-generation therapy combines semaglutide with cagrilintide, a long-acting analog of amylin, which is a pancreatic peptide that lowers blood glucose levels and slows down gastric emptying.A new analysis at the ADA suggests that, if all participants adhered to CagriSema treatment, 40.4% achieved a body weight reduction of 25% or more and 23.1% lost at least 30%. While the impact of GLP-1 on health outcomes for diabetes and obesity has been revolutionary, payors are actively looking to mitigate projected health costs. The market's growth is further supported by the approval of new indications, innovative product launches such as oral GLP-1 formulations, and wider integration of these drugs into home care and fitness settings. Rising demand for effective weight reduction strategies and improved glycemic control, especially in regions facing surging rates of metabolic disorders, is a key factor driving market expansion. Following the Phase Ib readout, Zealand expects to initiate a mid-stage study for petrelintide “imminently,” with data expected by the end of 2025 or early 2026, as per the Leerink note. Aside from its clinical benefits, Zealand has also touted the chemical and physical stability of petrelintide, according to the Leerink analysts, which in turn could make the investigational drug a good candidate for other therapeutic peptides in a single solution. Aside from Novo, Lilly is also advancing its own suite of amylin hopefuls, the most mature of which is eloralintide, a weekly therapy being tested in combination with tirzepatide in nondiabetic obese people. “Cagrilintide can’t be codissolved with semaglutide so NVO will commercialize CagriSema in a dual-chamber injection device and thus sales potential is TBD,” according to the Leerink note. While both medications are designed to help with weight loss, they can also cause side effects that might affect a person’s quality of life. Clinical trials are studies that involve real people, and they give us important information about how effective a medication is and what side effects it might have. This dual action makes Semaglutide a powerful tool for both managing diabetes and aiding in weight loss. But the company has reworked its clinical program to try to eke out more efficacy, extending the length of new trials and re-escalating doses in people who initially reduce them following gastrointestinal side effects. Novo said the drug had the typical side effects of GLP-1-based weight loss therapies, which include gastrointestinal problems like nausea and vomiting that diminish over time. Examining just the enrollees who completed the 68-week trial on an assigned treatment regimen, Novo said CagriSema reduced blood sugar 1.9 percentage points from a baseline average of 8.2%, and body weight 14% from a baseline of 101 kilograms. The main objective of the trial, which also included secondary goals such as weight loss, was to see how well cagrisema lowered blood sugar compared with Wegovy. Novo enrolled more than 2,700 people with diabetes who fell into body mass index categories of overweight or obese. The drugmaker has since tried to restore investor confidence in CagriSema, with Lange last month digging into REDEFINE 1’s data and suggesting that treatment schedules should be more personalized. Participants treated with CagriSema dropped 22.7% of their body weight at 68 weeks, an effect that the pharma called “superior weight loss” even as it fell short of its own projection of 25%. In December 2024, Novo released headline data from REDEFINE 1, which looked at overweight or obese adults without diabetes. The data come from the Phase III REDEFINE 2 trial, which tested once-weekly doses of CagriSema in 1,200 patients. Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Prakhar Agrawal described Novo’s additional results as “head-scratcher data” because the weight loss and side effect profile don’t match up to what is typically seen as dose levels increase. In 2021, semaglutide stepped into the spotlight when the FDA approved it for chronic weight management. It’s showing greater weight loss and improved blood sugar control compared to using either medication individually. Cagrilintide primarily targets appetite and slows down digestion, while semaglutide has broader effects on blood sugar regulation and insulin release. But last December Eli Lilly stole some of its thunder when it demonstrated its Mounjaro alternative was more effective, achieving a 23 percent weight loss. The pullback arrives as investors reassess the outlook for obesity drugs—the key profit driver behind Lilly’s valuation—amid falling prices and a growing number of competitors. In short, the push to improve weight loss methods is changing healthcare for the better. This could make treating obesity more effective and available to more people. Goldman maintained a bullish stance on Novo Nordisk, setting a 12-month price target of $148 for the ADR—a potential 75% upside from Friday's market price. “We see the share price move as overdone and with CagriSema offering another high efficacy option, it could still protect part of the longer term obesity franchise,” he added. Tema ETFs had already been underweight Novo, holding just a 3.99% stake prior to the REDEFINE 1 results. A dedicated phase III RENEW program for cagrilintide is planned to start soon.Although the drug showed some promise in terms of weight loss, it did not achieve statistically significant results compared to the placebo.GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking hormones that make you feel full, slow down digestion, and basically tell your brain “hey, we’re good on food for now.”A resoundingly positive outcome could help push Lilly past $1 trillion in market valuation, a milestone that would be a first among pharmaceutical firms.Research and development costs increased by 48%, mainly due to higher clinical trial activity and impairment losses related to intangible assets.Phase III studies will provide more information on long term efficacy and safety and potentially make it a top player in the obesity and diabetes space. High blood pressure is a common condition that often accompanies obesity and diabetes, and it can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. This is particularly important because people with diabetes are at a higher risk for these types of events. For instance, it has been shown to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes in people with type 2 diabetes. While weight loss is a significant benefit of Semaglutide, the medication offers other health advantages as well. The weekly injection is the form most commonly used for weight loss because it has been studied more extensively in this context. “Semaglutide reaching an average weight loss of about 15% was game-changing in 2021,” he said, changing clinical benefit from “improvement to remission of other conditions like hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes.” A previous crop of weight-loss drugs, like Qsymia, a combination of older medicines not part of the GLP-1 class, and liraglutide, an earlier GLP-1 medicine sold under the brand name Saxenda, produced maximum weight loss of 8 to 11%, on average, said Yale School of Medicine’s Dr. Jorge Moreno. A Lilly-sponsored head-to-head trial earlier in December reinforced findings from separate studies that Zepbound yielded greater weight loss over 72 weeks, on average, than Wegovy — 20% compared with about 14%. Lilly answered with Mounjaro and Zepbound, approved in 2022 and 2023 for diabetes and weight loss, respectively. To combat this, the company is advancing new pipeline drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and/or obesity, and has set out to challenge Zepbound in a comparative Phase III trial, with the aim of affirming the superiority of combination therapy CagriSema. The treatment, known as CagriSema, combines two hormone-based drugs — semaglutide, already approved for weight loss, and cagrilintide, which is still being studied. W. Timothy Garvey, M.D., served as lead author in the clinical trial.A new combination drug therapy is showing extraordinary promise in the bout against obesity, helping patients lose an average of 20 percent of their body weight in a major clinical trial. Novo executives had set a target of 25% weight loss for a Phase 3 trial in people with obesity but not diabetes, a mark it missed in December. In addition, more than 40% of CagriSema-treated participants achieved weight loss of at least 25%, versus 6% of patients taking cagrilintide, 16.2% of those on semaglutide and 0.9% of participants in the placebo group. Attendees will receive exclusive access to thousands of original research presentations and take part in provocative and engaging exchanges with leading diabetes experts. About the ADA’s Scientific Sessions The ADA's 85th Scientific Sessions, the world's largest scientific meeting focused on diabetes research, prevention, and care, will be held in Chicago, IL, on June 20–23. The safety profile was consistent with the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, with the most common side effects being mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal issues. In REDEFINE 2, participants lost an average of 13.7% at week 68, compared to 3.4% with placebo. On social media, Mary empowers and informs a community of more than a quarter million patients who have thyroid and hormonal health challenges. CagriSema is a promising addition to the therapeutic armory against diabetes and obesity, offering individuals in need new hope as we look to the future of managing metabolic diseases. Sometimes, especially for novel weight loss medicines, this MHRA clearance process might be expedited to 150 days. The Novo Nordisk obesity medication is anticipated to be submitted for approval in Q4 of 2025 if all Phase 3 clinical trials go as planned . In addition to improving adherence, this convenience helps patients integrate the drug into their weekly schedules. Patients’ treatment is made much easier with CagriSema, which is given as a once-weekly in injection form of cagrilintide. CHICAGO — Late-stage results of Novo Nordisk’s obesity candidate CagriSema suggest the drug is comparable to Eli Lilly’s Zepbound on safety and efficacy, further data indicating that CagriSema may not be the standout treatment that investors had hoped for. “The results indicate that CagriSema reduces blood sugar more than semaglutide alone and the weight loss seen in the trial confirms the substantial weight lowering potential of CagriSema”. After 32 weeks of treatment, people treated with CagriSema achieved a numerically higher HbA1c reduction of 2.18%-points compared to a reduction of 1.79%-points for people treated with semaglutide and 0.93%-points with cagrilintide alone. Bagsværd, Denmark , 2 2 August 2022 – Novo Nordisk today announced headline results from a phase 2 clinical trial with CagriSema, a once-weekly subcutaneous combination of semaglutide and a novel amylin analogue, cagrilintide. This is the second hit for Novo Nordisk’s weight loss portfolio in December after its major competitor Eli Lilly saw patients in a Phase III study of its weight loss drug Zepbound (tirzepatide) experiencing 47% more relative weight loss than Wegovy. The REDEFINE-1 trial enrolled 3,400 adults with obesity or were overweight with one or more comorbidities and without type 2 diabetes. Danish mega-company Novo Nordisk has taken a hit after its newest experimental weight loss drug, CagriSema, fell short of expectations sending the company’s stock price spiralling. The Danish company has announced positive results from its Phase III trial of CagriSema but fell short of a previously promised 25% weight loss. However, the need for more long-term efficacy, tolerability, and safety data regarding cagrilintide-based therapies, especially Cagrisema, for weight loss remains. Hence, there remains an urgent need for bigger multi-centric RCTs evaluating the durability of weight loss with cagrisema and cagrilintide over many years of clinical use. Patients can sustain weight loss over time by decreasing appetite and encouraging feelings of fullness. After 68 weeks, adherent individuals in the Phase 3 trial had significantly reduced their weight by 22.7%. This experiment demonstrates how CagriSema can significantly reduce body weight in a real-world population. What’s clear from the JAMA report and broader research is that weight loss science is rapidly evolving. Before starting any weight loss plan, it’s important to evaluate your thyroid function with a complete thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies) and discuss life stage changes like perimenopause or menopause with your clinician. This doesn’t mean weight loss is impossible. Hormonal changes alter not only weight but also how the body responds to food and exercise. This metabolic reality matters in weight loss because a slower metabolism burns fewer calories at rest — and that means the calorie deficit required to lose weight must be larger than for someone with normal thyroid function. Lilly has an outcomes trial called SURPASS-CVOT underway, but doesn’t expect to have data until next year.Semaglutide has undoubtedly made a splash in the world of weight loss and diabetes management.This was achieved even though only 57% of patients reached the highest CagriSema dose.Enthusiasm for the experimental drug’s potential has driven Amgen’s shares higher this year — sometimes dramatically so.With the entrance of Eli Lilly’s Zepbound into the obesity market, Novo Nordisk expects to face competition over its market share, which is currently owned by Wegovy.The company plans to file for regulatory approval in the first quarter of 2026, with detailed results from REDEFINE 1 and 2 slated for presentation at a scientific conference later in 2025. While cagrisema demonstrated a greater weight loss compared to the placebo, it did not achieve statistical significance. The results indicated that patients treated with cagrisema lost an average of 5.5% of their body weight. The primary goal of the trial was to assess the reduction in body weight after 26 weeks of treatment. Novo Nordisk’s next-generation obesity drug, cagrisema, has recently faced challenges in its clinical trial results. Novo Nordisk A/S’ CagriSema combines the peptidic GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide, used in blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, with dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist cagrilintide. Cagrilintide 2.4 mg, alone or as a part of cagrisema, has a half-life of 184 ± 7.4 hours. In the RCT by Frias et al., cagrilintide was initiated at 0.25 mg/week, was doubled to 0.5 mg/week after four weeks of therapy, and then again doubled to 1 mg/week after eight weeks of therapy, after that increased by 0.7 mg every four weekly to reach the full dose of 2.4 mg/week at 16 weeks of therapy. In the RCT by Enebo et al., cagrilintide was initiated at 0.16 mg/week and escalated incrementally every four weeks by 0.56 mg to reach the final dose of 2.4 mg/week in 16 weeks. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any weight loss medication. Weight loss drugs can be powerful tools, but they’re not substitutes for addressing the root causes of weight gain. GLP-1 drugs are legitimately revolutionary for many people. If you want to try experimental treatments, join an actual clinical trial where doctors monitor you. Some online communities claim fenbendazole causes weight loss as a “side effect” of its supposed cancer-fighting properties. This means it primarily works by activating GLP-1 receptors in the body, which has several effects that contribute to weight loss. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, Semaglutide is now also used for weight loss in people who are obese or overweight. The pill form is primarily used to manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, but it is not typically prescribed for weight loss. This is particularly helpful for people with type 2 diabetes, but it also has benefits for weight loss. “Digestive-related adverse effects are more significant with the combination product than with monotherapy of cagrilintide and semaglutide.” “While the results from this phase II trial may sound promising, a phase III study is required to confirm the treatment’s efficacy and safety,” she says. HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, Pharmd.D., pharmacist and clinical consultant at BuzzRx, cautions not to get overly enthusiastic just yet about the possibility of 25 percent weight loss from this drug. It could be because of side effects or simply that they were content with the amount of weight that they were losing, she said. WVE-006 is the first RNA editing therapy to reach human trials and has shown early evidence of restoring functional protein production in patients, though investor expectations around potency have remained high amid broader uncertainty in the emerging RNA editing field. CagriSema combines the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide with the long-acting amylin analog cagrilintide, and Novo noted the therapy was well-tolerated with no new safety concerns. You can find Semaglutide under brand names like Ozempic or Wegovy, depending on the formulation and the specific use (such as diabetes treatment or weight loss). Understanding these differences can help patients and healthcare providers choose the best treatment plan for effective weight loss. Both CagriSema and Semaglutide are not just weight loss drugs; they also interact with other parts of your body. The clinical trials help us understand the balance between the benefits of weight loss and the potential risks of side effects. The added ingredient, Cagrilintide, might boost the weight loss effects of Semaglutide, making CagriSema a stronger option for some people. CagriSema and Semaglutide are both designed to help with weight loss, but they work in different ways. Among the various options available, medications have gained popularity as a potential solution for those struggling with weight loss. Hard data and deep insights on clinical trials strategy & operations Initial data from this trial is expected in the first half of 2025. The trial, conducted on patients with obesity but without type 2 diabetes, showed a 22.7% weight loss after 68 weeks. REDEFINE 2 – a 68-week efficacy and safety phase 3 trial of once-weekly CagriSema versus placebo in 1,200 adults with type 2 diabetes and either obesity or overweight. In addition, 40.4% of patients who received CagriSema reached a weight loss of 25% or more after 68 weeks, compared to 6.0% with cagrilintide 2.4 mg, 16.2% with semaglutide 2.4 mg, and 0.9% with placebo. Both results wiped significant value from Novo's share price as investors' hopes of finding a superior alternative to the company's existing Wegovy injection and rival Eli Lily's Zepbound, both GLP-1 medications, were dashed. Novo has a separate drug in development, Amycretin, which comes in pill form and targets both GLP-1 and amylin. Results from the second major trial of CagriSema (REDEFINE 2) are anticipated to be available in the first half of 2025, Lange told investors. Last week, Novo Nordisk launched an online pharmacy, Novocare, to allow consumers to purchase Wegovy directly from the company at a discounted price of $499 a month. What Do Clinical Trials Say About the Efficacy of CagriSema vs. Semaglutide? For more on obesity treatment, check out research articles on the topic. We must find better treatments, like medicine, to fight obesity and its health risks. It’s estimated that obesity prevention and treatment could cost $4.3 trillion by 2035. These new treatments offer a more complete approach to fighting obesity. Gubra’s drug is a peptide engineered to activate the amylin and calcitonin receptors to spark metabolic effects. They added that the CagriSema results may inform the strategy for AbbVie, which last week announced a $350 million deal for rights to a Gubra obesity drug in Phase 1 testing. Most of these problems were classified as mild to moderate, and they diminished over time, consistent with the GLP-1 drug class, the company added. CagriSema combines semaglutide, the main ingredient in Wegovy, with cagrilintide, another engineered peptide. Each of these are backed by science and can help drive long-term, sustainable shifts in weight. It’s super exciting to learn about new treatments on the horizon. These trials all had different durations so aren’t really comparable. After a year on Saxenda, the average loss is 7.4% of starting weight. That means that it could be on the market as soon as late 2026. Novo Nordisk launches trial of pipeline drug CagriSema versus newly approved Zepbound Cagrilintide-based therapies offer the advantage of substantial weight loss with fewer gastrointestinal side effects, likely a major factor in determining long-term compliance and sustained weight loss. As of now, apart from cagrilintide, all other agents are at the stage of phase-1 clinical trials. A lot of research is currently happening in the field of long-acting amylin analogues, to develop novel weight loss medications with reduced gastrointestinal side effects. Initial phase 2 RCTs have documented a 16.81% and 16.94% weight loss with retatrutide at doses of 8 mg/week and 12 mg/week, respectively, escalated over 24 weeks of therapy. Both cagrilintide and cagrisema had a similar impact on lipid parameters compared to semaglutide and liraglutide. Shares of Novo Nordisk experienced a significant decline following the announcement of mixed results from a phase III clinical trial for its weight loss drug, cagrisema, also known as semaglutide. Leerink additionally noted that Monday’s weight-loss data for REDEFINE 2 “appear comparable cross-trial” to Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, “which showed up to roughly 15.5% absolute weight loss” in patients with type 2 diabetes at 68 weeks, versus 3.2% in placebo comparators. It was hoped that the drug would offer improved weight loss for patients with diabetes, who typically have a tougher time shedding pounds on existing GLP-1 treatments, but the 15.7% weight reduction result from the REDEFINE-2 trial disappointed. Look, weight loss drugs in 2026 are better than ever before. These aren’t just slightly better than placebo—they’re revolutionizing obesity treatment. So you’re scrolling through Reddit at 2 AM, and suddenly you’re deep in a thread about some miracle weight loss drug that “Big Pharma doesn’t want you to know about.” Sound familiar? All weight loss data and safety information are drawn from published medical literature. Fast forward to March 2025, and the REDEFINE 2 trial brought more results—this time for patients with obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes. This innovative drug, combining semaglutide and cagrilintide, promised to push the boundaries of weight loss potential. The results from the second pivotal phase 3 trial, REDEFINE 2, in adults with type 2 diabetes and either obesity or overweight are expected during the first half of 2025. “We are encouraged by the weight loss profile of CagriSema demonstrating superiority over both semaglutide and cagrilintide in monotherapy in the REDEFINE 1 trial. This is mainly driven by a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity in the region. In 2024, the home care settings and fitness/weight management facilities accounted for the largest share in the global GLP-1 agonists market. This is mainly due to the growing consumption of GLP-1 drugs for diabetes management and a strong pipeline further supporting growth. The Ozempic (semaglutide) segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2024. Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 agonist Wegovy (semaglutide) had until now monopolised the obesity market, but tirzepatide is expected to have higher efficacy than semaglutide, due to its dual agonist properties, and thus the Danish company could lose its market share to its competitor. These results are superior to semaglutide alone and match the efficacy of Eli Lilly's Zepbound (22.3% weight loss in similar trials). A study in people with obesity and diabetes again found CagriSema helps people lose weight, but not by enough to clearly outperform Eli Lilly’s rival Zepbound. Last Novo used this drug in 2024 in its Phase 3 REDEFINE 1 study that showed 22.7% weight loss, and further, it was carried forward in a data analysis. "While these weight loss data are lower than hoped in the market, we still believe that the product CagriSema will be filed and approved by the FDA,” Quigley stated. Semaglutide has a well-established track record, with studies showing that people can maintain their weight loss for a longer period. When we compare the clinical trial results for CagriSema and Semaglutide, we see that both medications are effective for weight loss, but there are some differences. The weight loss was also maintained over a long period, which is important for people trying to keep the weight off. Cagrisema has already received approval for treating type 2 diabetes under the brand name Ozempic. Martin Holst Lange, Novo Nordisk’s executive vice president and chief scientific officer, expressed disappointment regarding the trial’s findings. As in Monday’s case, however, investors were unconvinced and a subsequent selloff wiped some $72 billion off Novo’s market cap. Given these figures, Zepbound (tirzepatide) might have an edge over CagriSema, given that Novo’s drug “is more difficult to manufacture than tirzepatide.” New diabetes medicines have changed how we manage the disease. Did you know nearly 1 in 10 American adults have diabetes? This is a big problem that needs effective solutions for weight management. Did you know that about 70% of American adults are overweight or obese? But there are plenty of weight loss medications available right now that could help you reach your goals—especially if you’ve tried to lose weight another way but didn’t see the results you wanted. And while some results might seem more impressive than others, there’s no such thing as the “best” weight loss injection because everyone responds to medicine differently. After 88 weeks on the medicine, the mean loss was 25.3% body weight. Well, that’s the case for Saxenda weight loss injections, too. It is fair to say that Novo Nordisk is at the forefront of the weight-loss and type 2 diabetes drug market. The phase 3 trial of CagriSema had 1,206 participants with a mean baseline body weight of 102kg (225 lb). CagriSema is being investigated by Novo Nordisk as a weight-loss drug for adults who are overweight or obese, as well as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes. "If you do the math, actually what we are adding in terms of volume new patients in 2025 is the same as what we added in 2024," he said. Lilly is currently developing an oral obesity pill, Orforglipron, which it said last month could receive regularly approval by early 2026. Jørgensen said that Novo Nordisk would submit its oral treatment for U.S. regulatory approval "within a couple of months" with a view to launching next year. The drug maker posted a 107% year-on-year increase in Wegovy sales to 19.87 billion Danish kroner ($2.76 billion) in the three months to the end of December, slightly missing the 20.02 billion Danish kroner forecast by analysts. Drop your experiences in the comments (but please, tell me nobody’s actually taking fenbendazole…). A new type of obesity drug being developed by Novo Nordisk has fallen short of expectations set by the company in a closely watched Phase 3 trial, causing shares to lose nearly a fifth of their value in early trading on Friday. A combination drug called cagrisema helped spur significant weight loss, but missed the bar set by executives, causing shares to fall sharply. Novo Nordisk is currently conducting clinical trials for CagriSema in both obesity and type-2 diabetes treatment. Novo Nordisk’s treatments benefit millions of people who live with diabetes or obesity, as well as those with rare blood and endocrine diseases. "Investors are looking for treatment options that are best in class and will secure Novo's place in the obesity drug market," Soren Lontoft, pharma equity analyst at Sydbank, told CNBC over the phone Tuesday. “The big hope here is that if we can interfere with EBV, we can have a big effect, not just on MS but on other disorders, and improve the quality of life for many, many people,” said Joe Sabatino, neurologist and corresponding author from UCSF, in the press release. Nearly one million people in the US are affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive autoimmune disease where the immune system incorrectly attacks the myelin coating of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. They set expectations for how AI should be developed and managed across the drug lifecycle and will inform future regulatory guidance in both jurisdictions. Friday’s data come from Novo’s subcutaneous formulation of amycretin, but the pharma is also developing an oral version. By tailoring treatments to each person’s unique needs, we can better understand and treat obesity. The move towards personalized obesity treatment is significant. Retatrutide is making a big difference in weight loss. For more on how these technologies impact weight loss, check out the latest research. This ensures enough protein for muscle upkeep during weight loss. The trial employed a flexible design that allowed patients to modify their dosing throughout the study. What’s less clear is whether the results are enough to make the therapy competitive with rival Eli Lilly and others in obesity drug R&D. The significant price disparity between the U.S. and other markets has attracted criticism from lawmakers, placing the company in the political spotlight. Furthermore, Novo Nordisk is under increasing political scrutiny over the high U.S. prices of its weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, especially as the U.S. presidential election approaches. Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, or Mounjaro, has demonstrated superior weight loss results compared to Novo’s Wegovy.