Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2025-09-15 12:45Core Insights - Novo Nordisk's Semaglutide shows significant weight loss effects when the dosage is increased to 7.2 mg, with an average weight loss of 19% over 72 weeks compared to 16% for the standard 2.4 mg dosage [1][4] - Despite the promising results, Semaglutide's efficacy still lags behind Eli Lilly's Tirzepatide, which achieved an average weight loss of 22.5% at its highest approved dosage [1][2] Group 1: Clinical Trial Results - The recent trials tested a higher dosage of Semaglutide (7.2 mg) against the standard 2.4 mg, revealing a notable increase in weight loss among participants [1][4] - In the larger STEP-UP trial, nearly half of the participants on the 7.2 mg dosage lost over 20% of their body weight, while one-third lost at least 25% [4] - The smaller trial for obese patients with type 2 diabetes showed a weight loss of 13% for the high-dose group compared to 10% for the standard dose and 4% for the placebo group [4] Group 2: Market Position and Challenges - The new high-dose option is seen as clinically meaningful, especially if priced competitively against Eli Lilly's Tirzepatide, which has seen price increases in some regions [2] - Novo Nordisk faces significant market challenges, including a 60% drop in stock price over the past year and loss of market share to Eli Lilly and generic competitors [2] - The company has recently undergone leadership changes, including a new CEO and plans to lay off 9,000 employees [2] Group 3: Safety and Side Effects - The increase in dosage correlates with a rise in side effects, with 71% of participants on the 7.2 mg dosage experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, compared to 61% in the standard dosage group [4] - Over 20% of high-dose participants reported sensory abnormalities, which may require dosage adjustments [4] - Health indicators such as waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels improved across both trials [4]