Phase III obesity data show Novo’s semaglutide nearing threshold to replace gastric bypass surgery

Novo announced Phase III data on Wednesday that sets up semaglutide to replace its Saxenda liraglutide as an obesity treatment, and brings the company to the brink of providing a therapeutic alternative to gastric bypass surgery.

Subcutaneous semaglutide, which Novo Nordisk A/S (CSE:NOVO B; NYSE:NVO) markets as Ozempic for Type II diabetes, met the primary endpoint in the STEP 4 trial. As an adjunct to calorie reduction and increased physical activity, the drug led to statistically significant weight loss vs. placebo between weeks 20 and 68 (-7.9% vs. +6.9%)...