Novo Highlights Phase I Data for Next-Gen Obesity Drug

Novo Nordisk has announced encouraging results from its Phase I clinical trial for a novel obesity treatment, amycretin, at its Capital Markets Day event. The trial showed that participants treated with amycretin experienced a significant 13.1% reduction in body weight after 12 weeks, compared to a 1.1% decrease in the placebo group. The drug was found to be safe and well-tolerated, with side effects consistent with previous studies on similar GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Amycretin is an innovative oral medication that acts as a co-agonist for both GLP-1 and amylin receptors, which play a role in appetite regulation and blood sugar control. The drug is a single molecule that combines two distinct mechanisms, offering additive benefits. Novo Nordisk is developing amycretin as part of its broader strategy to expand its GLP-1 franchise and explore innovative treatments for diabetes and obesity, with a focus on appetite control, energy expenditure, weight maintenance, and lean mass preservation.
The company is planning to initiate another amylin-focused program soon, with a Phase I trial expected in 2024. Additionally, Novo Nordisk is preparing for a Phase I study within the next year for a new tri-agonist candidate, which is believed to have the potential for more substantial weight loss and addressing other obesity-related health issues.
In addition to amycretin, Novo Nordisk is also exploring the amylin pathway through its advanced weight-loss therapy, CagriSema, which is a combination of semaglutide and an amylin analog, cagrilintide. In August 2022, the company reported positive Phase II data for CagriSema, showing a 15.6% weight reduction in overweight type 2 diabetes patients. A Phase III trial comparing CagriSema to Eli Lilly's Zepbound was launched in September 2023.
Novo Nordisk is also aiming to extend its reach beyond obesity and diabetes to target a wider range of cardiometabolic diseases. The company recently reported that Ozempic, a drug used for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management, significantly reduced the risk of kidney disease progression and other major cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease. Novo Nordisk is planning to seek a label expansion for Ozempic later this year.

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