Novo Nordisk releases new high-dose Wegovy data

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Novo Nordisk On Tuesday, the blockbuster released new data that could help strengthen the case for a higher-dose version of its obesity injection, Wegovy.

This comes just a month after the 7.2-milligram vaccine became available in the U.S.

In a late-stage trial, some patients taking this high dose lost an average of 27.7% of their weight in 72 weeks. a new analysis Novo presented at the European Obesity Congress.

These patients are a group of “early responders” who respond more quickly to treatment, losing at least 15% of their weight after 24 weeks or in the first six months of treatment, Novo said.

Overall, people in this study who took the higher doses lost almost 21% of their weight, on average. Prior to the launch of this new dose, the highest available injectable dose of Wegovy was 2.4 milligrams, which helped patients achieve an average weight loss of more than 17% by week 72 of the trial.

That’s why this new data is important.

Novo positions this high-dose version of Wegovy as a stronger competitor Eli LillyZepbound has become the obesity drug of choice due to its higher effectiveness. Zepbound showed an average weight loss of more than 20% in late-stage studies.

Novo said the more than 20% similar efficacy between high-dose Wegovy and Zepbound could help the company regain market share from Lilly. And new data shows Wegovy’s potential to offer even greater weight loss, which may be encouraging for some prescribers and patients.

Novo said in an earnings call last week that it’s already seeing users step up to the 7.2-milligram dose, and three of the largest pharmacy benefit managers in the U.S. have added it to their standard formulas as an extension of Wegovy.

But there are some caveats here.

First of all, it’s unclear what the average weight loss is for Zepbound “early responders.” This makes it really difficult to compare the new Wegovy results to Lilly’s drug.

Second, it is not possible to tell which patients will respond early to Wegovy and achieve higher levels of weight loss. Seeing these data, no patient should expect to eventually lose 28% of their weight if they begin taking high doses of Wegovy; This is not a guarantee.

About 1 in 4 people who received the highest dose in the trial responded early to the treatment, compared with about 1 in 5 people who received the 2.4-milligram dose, the company said.

According to the study, the average weight loss of patients who did not respond to treatment early was 15.4%. a version From Novo.

However, Dr., a clinical professor of internal medicine at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Tel-Aviv University, Israel, said in the statement. Dr. Those who did not respond to early treatment still experienced “significant and clinically meaningful weight loss,” Dror Dicker said.

Third point to note here: Analysts previously told CNBC that it’s hard to tell whether high-dose Wegovy will meaningfully change the market share dynamic between Novo and Lilly because Zepbound is well established as the top product in the injectable market.

Time will tell, so we will be monitoring the rollout of this new dose.

Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas, and data to Annika in a new email: annika.constantino@versantmedia.com.