Semaglutide (Novo Nordisk)

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Three studies presented today at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery's (SNIS) 22nd Annual Meeting discussed whether using GLP-1 inhibitors could lessen the impacts of stroke and related brain injuries or reduce the risk of stroke altogether. These medications, which lower blood sugar and often cause weight loss, are commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity and include drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic). In the first study, "The Impact of Semaglutide (Ozempic) on Mortality and Survival in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Nationwide and Institutional Retrospective Analysis," researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison used patient data from both the university's medical center and a global health collaborative to see whether patients on Ozempic who experienced strokes had better outcomes than patients not taking Ozempic. The global dataset included 2,021,704 patients who had experienced stroke, 43,338 of whom were also on Ozempic, and the University of Wisconsin dataset included 13,510 people who had experienced stroke, 190 of whom used Ozempic. Death from stroke was lower for Ozempic users across both cohorts. In the global dataset, 5.26% of Ozempic users initially died from their strokes compared to 21.61% of non-users, and Ozempic users also had a 77.5% chance of surviving their strokes long term compared to 30.95% of non-Ozempic users. The university cohort showed similar results, with 5.26% of Ozempic users dying from stroke versus 26.57% of patients not using Ozempic. In the second study, also from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, "Association between Ozempic Use and Stroke Risk: A Nationwide Emergency Department Analysis," researchers examined a large nationwide sample of emergency department records for people who experienced stroke and people who were likely using Ozempic. They found associations between potential Ozempic users and significantly reduced odds of stroke. The research team suggests taking this research further to evaluate data directly from pharmacies to be even more precise about the relationship between Ozempic and stroke prevention. The third study, "Impact Of GLP-1 Agonists on Stroke, SAH, and ICH: A Propensity-matched Multi-institutional Cohort Study," was presented by researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. They investigated whether GLP-1 inhibitors could improve patient outcomes after brain hemorrhages (both spontaneous bleeds and those due to brain aneurysm rupture) and stroke. The team reviewed patient records from 6 months and 12 months after each brain hemorrhage and 1 year and 2 years after each stroke, finding that GLP-1 inhibitor use was connected to a reduced risk of cognitive side effects, seizures, future brain hemorrhage and death after brain hemorrhage and stroke. According to Ahmed Elbayomy, MD, a research fellow and data scientist in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and primary author of two of these studies, these results are very promising. "More research is certainly needed, but seeing the potential protection offered by these medications is a fascinating finding." "This research could introduce a new perspective to the discussion of preventing and mitigating the devastating effects of stroke and related brain injuries," added Matias Costa, MD, from the Neurosurgery Department at the University of Texas Medical Branch and author of the third study. To receive a copy of these abstracts or to speak with the study authors, please contact Camille Jewell at [email protected] or call 202-248-5460. About the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery The Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS) is a scientific and educational association dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurointerventional surgery through research, standard-setting, and education and advocacy to provide the highest quality of patient care in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, spine, head and neck. Visit and follow us on X (@SNISinfo) Facebook (@SNISOnline), LinkedIn (@Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery), Instagram (@SNIS_info) and Bluesky (@snisinfo.bsky.social). SOURCE Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer have launched Eliquis 360 Support, a direct-to-patient online program, which offers the blood thinner to U.S. patients at a discount price. Taking a page from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, who have launched online programs to sell their diabetes and obesity drugs directly to patients, Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer are doing the same with their megablockbuster blood thinner Eliquis.The drugmakers have established a direct-to-patient online program, Eliquis 360 Support, which offers the anticoagulant at a discount price to those in the United States who are uninsured, underinsured or pay for their drugs out of pocket.Eliquis will be available through the program at $346 per month, which is a 43% reduction from its list price of $606 per month. The new offering kicks off on Sept. 8.The effort targets a small group of current and potential users of Eliquis, as more than 90% of the patients on the pill access it through Medicare or with commercial insurance, according to BMS. Next year, when Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) pricing kicks in, Medicare will pay $231 per month for the treatment.“The BMS-Pfizer Alliance is committed to increasing patient access and affordability,” Chris Boerner, Ph.D., the CEO of BMS, said in a release. “This program passes more savings directly to patients and demonstrates our continued focus on identifying innovative solutions that foster the best outcomes for each individual while prioritizing access to care.”The initiative could attract more patients to the treatment and help soften the blow from generic competition. The company has told investors that it expects to lose patent protection in the U.S. for Eliquis in April of 2028. Sales reached $13.3 billion worldwide in 2024, with $9.6 billion coming in the U.S., where revenues were up 14%. BMS said that more than 15 million people in the U.S. have been prescribed Eliquis since it hit the market in 2012, resulting in an estimated $3 billion in total healthcare cost savings for every 100,000 patients treated. The medicine was originally approved to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in those who have an irregular heartbeat.Eliquis 360 Support also comes in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order, signed two months ago, which aims to slash the price of drugs in the U.S. through a most-favored-nations policy. While many questions remain about the initiative, Trump is instructing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to tie what the government pays for drugs to the lowest prices paid by other economically advanced countries.Pfizer isn’t new to direct-to-patient marketing. Last year, it launched PfizerForAll, an online service that cut out middlemen, allowing patients to receive medicines, vaccines and diagnostic tests directly from the company. Early last year, Lilly established its online access program, LillyDirect, combining telehealth and pharmacy services to allow patients to receive the company’s diabetes, obesity and migraine treatments at a discount. Earlier this year, the company added Kisunla to its online program, allowing patients quicker access to the Alzheimer’s disease drug.In March of this year, Novo Nordisk launched NovoCare Pharmacy, offering obesity treatment Wegovy at $499 per month, which is a significant discount to its list price of $1,349.