According to research published in The New England Journal of Medicine last Wednesday, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill worked about as well as the weekly injection in a new clinical trial.
People taking the daily pill lost 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks when they followed directions. While the placebo group lost 2.7%. More than a third of people on the pill lost 20% or more of their weight.
The company submitted the pill to the FDA in February and expects a decision by year-end. If approved, it would be the first oral GLP-1 therapy in the U.S.
Study Details
Researchers tested 307 adults who were obese or overweight with health problems. People on the pill saw better cardiovascular risk factors and physical function, similar to the weekly shot.
When people missed doses sometimes, they still lost 13.6% of their weight on average compared to the placebo at 2.2%.
“The oral semaglutide 25 mg shows strong results for weight loss with 16.6% weight reduction and the same safety as the weekly Wegovy shot,” said Martin Holst Lange, Novo Nordisk’s chief scientist.
Market Impact
Novo Nordisk stock jumped 5.4% after announcing the results. The company is already manufacturing pills in the U.S.
Many patients prefer pills over weekly injections, which could expand access to these medications. Since about 42% of American adults have obesity, this pill could be a better weight loss medication for them compared to the injection. Moreover, the competitor Eli Lilly is also developing an oral weight-loss drug.
Overall, the pill addresses injection anxiety and makes treatment easier for people with busy schedules.
Get Wegovy Through Minimal
Ready to explore whether Wegovy could work for your weight loss goals? Minimal makes accessing GLP-1 medications straightforward. Our licensed healthcare providers can evaluate your eligibility and create a treatment plan that works with your lifestyle.
Start your Wegovy consultation with Minimal →
Minimal provides medical supervision, lifestyle guidance, and ongoing monitoring throughout your weight loss journey.
