Novo Nordisk's oral semaglutide 25 mg (Wegovy® in a pill*) delivered 16.6% weight loss in people with obesity in a newly published study

Core Insights - The OASIS 4 phase 3 trial demonstrated that oral semaglutide 25 mg (Wegovy® in a pill) achieved an average weight loss of 16.6% over 64 weeks, significantly outperforming the placebo group, which saw only 2.7% weight loss [1][3] - The trial included 307 adults with obesity or overweight and showed that 34.4% of participants on oral semaglutide lost 20% or more of their body weight, compared to 2.9% for placebo [1][3] - Oral semaglutide also improved cardiovascular risk factors and daily activity levels, aligning with previous results from injectable Wegovy® [1][3] Company Insights - Novo Nordisk is preparing for the potential FDA approval of oral semaglutide, with production already underway in the US to meet anticipated demand [2][3] - The company aims to address the low current usage of obesity medications in the US, where less than 2% of individuals with obesity receive treatment [1][3] - Novo Nordisk's chief scientific officer highlighted the importance of patient preference for oral treatments, suggesting that oral semaglutide could increase treatment initiation among those currently untreated [1][3] Industry Insights - The OASIS 4 trial results indicate a significant advancement in obesity treatment options, particularly for oral GLP-1 therapies, which have not been previously approved for weight management [3][6] - Obesity is recognized as a complex disease requiring long-term management, influenced by various factors beyond individual willpower [5][6] - The introduction of oral semaglutide could reshape the landscape of obesity treatment, potentially increasing access and adherence among patients [1][3]