Novo Nordisk said a higher dose of its drug Wegovy led to greater weight loss in patients during a late-stage trial, but the results fell short of the weight loss achieved with Eli Lilly's rival drug Zepbound,

Results from Novo Nordisk's STEP UP trial show that a high-dose formulation of Wegovy can significantly increase the weight loss effects the drug is known for.

Novo Nordisk said patients taking a bigger dose of its blockbuster obesity drug lost more weight than those on a lower dose, without experiencing an increase in side-effects.

As evidence has mounted that new diabetes and weight loss drugs can provide a variety of health benefits, the FDA has approved Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide for heart disease and Eli Lilly’s tirzepati | An observational study from Washington University in St.

Novo Nordisk today announced headline results from STEP UP, a phase 3b trial in the global STEP programme. STEP UP is a 72-week efficacy and safety trial investigating subcutaneous semaglutide 7.2 mg compared to semaglutide 2.

Wegovy, the weight-loss brand of semaglutide, has a recommended maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. Novo ran the Phase III STEP UP trial to evaluate the effect of increasing the maximum dose to 7.2 mg. The trial randomized 1,407 adults with obesity, but not diabetes, to receive either 7.2 mg or 2.4 mg of semaglutide or placebo.

Adults with obesity receiving once-weekly semaglutide 7.2 mg lost a higher proportion of their body weight at 72 weeks than adults receiving semaglutide 2.4 mg, according to top-line results from the STEP UP phase 3b trial.

Weight-loss and diabetes drugs reduced the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, an independent study published Monday showed. Pharma giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly look to be the main benefactors of GLP-1 medications turning into a “catch-all pill,