Novo Nordisk: Higher dose of Wegovy® provided average weight loss of 21% in people with obesity – with a third achieving 25% or more – according to data presented at ADA

Core Insights - The STEP UP trial results indicate that a higher dose of Wegovy (semaglutide 7.2 mg) leads to an average weight loss of 21% in individuals with obesity, with one-third of participants achieving a weight loss of 25% or more compared to placebo over 72 weeks [2][8]. Company Overview - Novo Nordisk presented the STEP UP trial results at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, highlighting the efficacy of semaglutide 7.2 mg in promoting significant weight loss in obese individuals without diabetes [2][3]. - The company plans to file for a label update for the higher dose of Wegovy in the EU in the second half of 2025, followed by submissions in other markets where Wegovy is already approved [6]. Trial Details - The STEP UP trial was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study involving 1,407 adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m or greater, aimed at demonstrating the superiority of semaglutide 7.2 mg over placebo in weight loss [11]. - Key findings from the trial included that 93.2% of participants on semaglutide 7.2 mg achieved a weight loss of 5% or more, compared to 35.7% in the placebo group [4]. Safety Profile - The safety profile of semaglutide 7.2 mg was consistent with previous trials, with gastrointestinal adverse events being the most common, primarily mild to moderate, and diminishing over time [5][8]. - Only 3.3% of participants on semaglutide 7.2 mg discontinued treatment due to gastrointestinal issues, compared to 2.0% for semaglutide 2.4 mg and 0% for placebo [5]. Weight Loss Outcomes - The STEP UP trial demonstrated that 86.0% of participants on semaglutide 7.2 mg achieved a weight loss of 10% or more, and 50.9% achieved 20% or more weight loss, compared to significantly lower percentages in the placebo group [7][8].