Novo's CagriSema Helps Women Lose 25% of Weight
Experimental injection shows promise for improving weight loss, with average weight loss of 25% in women, compared to 3% with placebo, in a new analysis of 2,300 women with obesity or overweight
Novo's CagriSema has shown significant promise in helping women lose weight, with a new analysis revealing that the experimental injection helped women lose 25% of their weight on average. The analysis, which involved roughly 2,300 women with obesity or who are overweight, found that CagriSema caused 25% weight loss on average at 68 weeks, compared to 3% with placebo.
CagriSema is a combination of semaglutide and cagrilintide, targeting the amylin pathway, which is involved in regulating hunger and fullness. The results of the analysis are based on an ideal scenario in which all patients stayed on treatment without interruptions.
A second analysis of around 1,900 women, assigned by their menopausal status, found that weight loss reached 26.7%, 24.8%, and 23.1% in premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women, respectively, at 68 weeks, if all patients remained on the drug. This compares to approximately 2% across menopause groups with a placebo.
The results of the analysis suggest that CagriSema may be a promising treatment option for women with obesity or who are overweight. With more than 86 million women in the U.S. aged 40 and older, according to the U.S. Census, the potential market for the treatment is significant.
## What happens next CagriSema is expected to launch early next year, pending further confirmation of the results. The Danish company, Novo, has built its new treatment around amylin, a hormone released in the pancreas alongside insulin, which helps regulate hunger and fullness. Obesity drug leaders Novo and Eli Lilly have high hopes for the treatment, which they believe will give them a new revenue stream beyond existing GLP-1s.
The results of the analysis are the latest evidence that CagriSema can improve upon the weight loss and other benefits offered by Novo's GLP-1 drug semaglutide, the active ingredient in its blockbuster obesity shot Wegovy and diabetes counterpart Ozempic. Initial results from the study showed that CagriSema helped adults lose 22.7% of their weight on average at 68 weeks, with around 67% of roughly 3,400 patients in the trial being women.
## Why it matters The potential impact of CagriSema on the treatment of obesity and weight loss is significant. With the rising prevalence of obesity and related health issues, the need for effective treatment options is growing. CagriSema, with its promising results and potential for improved weight loss, may be a game-changer in the field of obesity treatment. As the treatment prepares to launch early next year, it is likely to be closely watched by healthcare professionals, patients, and investors alike.
