Semaglutide from Novo Nordisk offers extra cardiovascular benefits for overweight patients

Novo Nordisk has recently unveiled data from the SELECT phase 3 trial, indicating that a 2.4 mg dose of semaglutide effectively reduces hospital admissions and the overall duration of hospital stays for adults with obesity or overweight, who have pre-existing cardiovascular conditions but do not have diabetes. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, which have seen a significant rise in demand since being approved for weight loss management.

As the market faces growing competition from other developers of drugs with similar mechanisms, Novo Nordisk has been investigating the potential cardiovascular benefits of semaglutide. The primary objective of the SELECT study was to assess how semaglutide affects the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, in obese and overweight individuals. These patients are at a substantially higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, which account for the death of two-thirds of this group.

Dr. Steven E. Kahn from the University of Washington highlighted the severe health implications for people with obesity or overweight and established cardiovascular disease who do not have diabetes. Such individuals are more frequently hospitalized for events like heart attacks or strokes, which negatively impact their well-being and significantly increase healthcare resource utilization. According to Dr. Kahn, the SELECT trial demonstrated that patients receiving a weekly 2.4 mg dose of semaglutide experienced notable reductions in hospital admissions and the time spent in the hospital.

The SELECT clinical trial, which began in 2018, involved over 17,000 patients from 41 countries and included 800 investigator sites. The trial concluded earlier this year with positive outcomes, and the new data provides additional insights into the beneficial impact of semaglutide on overweight and obese patients with cardiovascular disease.

Michelle Skinner, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Novo Nordisk, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing developments from the SELECT trial data. She emphasized that the trial’s findings continue to demonstrate the effectiveness of semaglutide 2.4 mg in lowering cardiovascular risks for patients with obesity and established cardiovascular disease. Skinner also noted that the new analysis offers deeper insights into how semaglutide 2.4 mg affects repeat hospitalizations and extended hospital stays, which are significant concerns regarding healthcare costs and quality.

In summary, the SELECT phase 3 trial data underscores the potential of semaglutide 2.4 mg to alleviate hospital admissions and reduce the time patients with obesity or overweight and cardiovascular disease spend in the hospital. This development is a promising stride in Novo Nordisk's commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with serious chronic conditions.