Phase III SUSTAIN results for Ozempic show weight reductions in type 2 diabetes.- Novo Nordisk.

According to new post-hoc phase III data, Ozempic (semaglutide) 0.5 mg or 1.0 mg, from Novo Nordisk, provided greater weight reductions vs dulaglutide 0.75 mg or 1.5 mg, respectively, in adults with type 2 diabetes, regardless of baseline body mass index (BMI), with the greatest reductions occurring in adults with a baseline BMI above 25 kg/m2. While the primary endpoint of SUSTAIN 7 was change in HbA1c, this post-hoc exploratory analysis examined the secondary endpoint of change in body weight by baseline BMI. Greater weight reductions were demonstrated across all BMI subgroups (below 25, 25- below 30, 30- below 35, above 35 kg/m2) with Ozempic 0.5 mg vs dulaglutide 0.75 mg (range of weight reduction across all subgroups: 3.6-5.5 kg vs 0.9-3.4 kg) and with Ozempic 1.0 mg vs dulaglutide 1.5 mg (range of weight reduction across all subgroups: 5.2-7.6 kg vs 2.0-3.8 kg), from a mean baseline of 95.2 kg.1 Adults with a higher baseline BMI (above 25 kg/m2) taking Ozempic generally achieved greater weight reductions than those with lower baseline BMI (below 25 kg/m2). In addition, more people achieved weight reductions of more than 5% and more than 10% with Ozempic vs dulaglutide in all BMI subgroups. Across BMI subgroups, fewer people reported gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events with the low dulaglutide dose (0.75 mg) compared with the other three treatment groups (Ozempic 0.5 and 1.0 mg and dulaglutide 1.5 mg). The most common adverse events (more than 5%) for both Ozempic dosages were GI adverse events. The results will be presented at the American Diabetes Association's 78th Scientific Sessions.

: Comment: The SUSTAIN global clinical development programme for Ozempic comprises eight phase IIIa trials, encompassing more than 8,000 adults with type 2 diabetes. The phase IIIa programme involves a broad range of people with type 2 diabetes, including some with high cardiovascular risk profiles.