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Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide) appears to have cardiovascular benefits as well weight loss benefits, according to new research.
The SELECT trial found that a once-weekly dose of semaglutide significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (i.e. cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke) by 20% compared to placebo.
The trial also showed that 2.4mg of semaglutide weekly was safe and well-tolerated in line with previous trials.
Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president for Development at Novo Nordisk says these results have the potential to “change how obesity is regarded and treated.”
Semaglutide reduced incidence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke
This new research is based on data from 17,604 adults aged 45 years or older who were enrolled in the trial. All the adults were overweight or obese and had established cardiovascular disease (CVD) with no prior history of diabetes.
The participants were then randomised to semaglutide and placebo as an adjunct to standard care to prevent major adverse cardiovascular events for overweight or obese people.
The primary objective of the SELECT trial was to demonstrate superiority of semaglutide compared to placebo by demonstrating a reduced incidence of three major adverse cardiovascular events: cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke
Key secondary objectives were to compare the effects of semaglutide to placebo with regards to mortality, cardiovascular risk factors, glucose metabolism, body weight and renal function.
In total, 1,270 major adverse cardiovascular events occurred during the trial, and the researchers demonstrated that all three components of the primary endpoint contributed to the superior reduction in cardiovascular events in the semaglutide group.
No approved weight loss drugs reduce the risk of CVD events
Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president for Development at Novo Nordisk, said Wegovy could become the first weight management treatment which could also reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events.
He said: “People living with obesity have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease but to date, there are no approved weight management medications proven to deliver effective weight management while also reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death.
“Therefore, we are very excited about the results from SELECT showing that semaglutide 2.4 mg reduces the risk of cardiovascular events.
“SELECT is a landmark trial and has demonstrated that semaglutide 2.4 mg has the potential to change how obesity is regarded and treated.”