Novo Nordisk A/S: Ozempic® reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and death by 23% compared to dulaglutide in the first head-to-head real-world study

Core Insights - Novo Nordisk announced that Ozempic (semaglutide) demonstrated a 23% reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared to dulaglutide in a study involving nearly 60,000 US Medicare patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease [1][5][7] - The study presented at the EASD 2025 Annual Meeting fills a critical gap in understanding cardiovascular outcomes for older patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, providing real-world evidence that supports the effectiveness of semaglutide [2][5][7] Group 1: Study Findings - The REACH study showed that once-weekly semaglutide was associated with a 25% risk reduction of heart attack, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure, and death from any cause [2][5] - Ozempic was the only GLP-1 RA proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and kidney events in people with type 2 diabetes, providing the first direct comparison of cardiovascular outcomes between Ozempic and dulaglutide in US Medicare beneficiaries [3][5][7] Group 2: Implications for Patients and Healthcare - The results are significant for older patients and healthcare professionals, reinforcing the clinical evidence of semaglutide and its importance in treatment decisions for high-risk populations [2][7] - The study utilized a target-trial emulation framework, analyzing data from 58,336 matched patients aged 66 years and older, addressing the lack of direct cardiovascular outcome comparisons between GLP-1 RAs [5][7] Group 3: Product Information - Ozempic is indicated for improving blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes and reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in those with known heart disease [6] - Currently, Ozempic is marketed in 72 countries, with 7 million people being treated worldwide [8]