Novo’s Obesity Pill Achieves 'Remarkable' 13% Weight Loss, Researchers Report

Novo Nordisk has been advancing in the competitive obesity market with its promising oral weight loss pill, amycretin. This development comes at a time when other pharmaceutical companies are also making strides in this area. Recently, Novo Nordisk presented more detailed results of amycretin at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting, showing significant weight loss benefits.

The results revealed that patients who took amycretin experienced a 13% reduction in body weight at week 12, a considerable improvement over those who received a placebo. The reduction in weight did not appear to plateau, suggesting potential for further weight loss over a longer duration. This data comes shortly after Terns Pharmaceuticals shared that its weight loss pill, TERN-601, achieved a 4.9% reduction in body weight over 28 days in a Phase II trial. Analysts at BMO Capital Markets have drawn comparisons to other competitors in the market, noting Eli Lilly's orforglipron and Pfizer's danuglipron, which showed 3.9% and 5.2% weight loss respectively in similar studies.

The results for amycretin were initially shared during Novo Nordisk's investor day in March, but the recent EASD presentation provided more comprehensive details. In the study, participants with a BMI between 25 to 39, who did not have diabetes, were administered either amycretin or a placebo once daily. The primary focus was on documenting treatment-emergent adverse events, though weight loss was also monitored as a secondary endpoint.

In terms of safety, the adverse events associated with amycretin were generally mild to moderate. The most commonly reported side effects included gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. These events were dose-dependent, with higher doses initially showing lower tolerability. To address this, Novo Nordisk implemented a stepwise dose escalation, resulting in a more acceptable safety and tolerability profile.

Looking ahead, Novo Nordisk is planning longer and larger studies to further investigate amycretin's potential. Amycretin is a crucial component of Novo Nordisk's broader obesity treatment pipeline, which also includes the combination therapy CagriSema. Phase III results for CagriSema are expected in the second half of 2024. Additionally, Novo Nordisk has an extensive clinical program for semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes.

The detailed findings on amycretin mark a significant step forward in Novo Nordisk's efforts to develop effective oral treatments for obesity. With other companies also making progress in this field, the competition is fierce, but Novo Nordisk's promising results position the company well in the race to address the growing obesity market.

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