Novo Nordisk Advances Obesity Pipeline with CagriSema and Amycretin Data at ADA 2025

Novo Nordisk, a leader in diabetes and obesity treatments, presented new data for two key pipeline candidates at the American Diabetes Association's 85th scientific congress. The company showcased safety results for CagriSema and efficacy data for amycretin, both aimed at addressing the growing global obesity epidemic.

CagriSema Safety Profile Aligns with GLP-1 Class

Novo Nordisk's CagriSema, a combination therapy targeting GLP-1 and cagrilintide receptors, demonstrated a safety profile comparable to the GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) class in the REDEFINE-1 and REDEFINE-2 studies. These Phase III trials, involving over 1,200 patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight, were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Martin Holst Lange, Novo's executive vice president for development, emphasized the importance of the safety data, stating, "What people haven't seen in detail yet is the side effect profile, as in, there will be a lot of comfort in that substantial weight loss potential."

While CagriSema's efficacy results fell slightly short of investor expectations, with REDEFINE-1 showing a 22.7% mean weight loss at 68 weeks (versus the anticipated 25%), and REDEFINE-2 demonstrating a 13.7% decrease in body weight for type 2 diabetes patients, the company is positioning the drug's safety profile as a key differentiator.

Amycretin Advances to Phase III with Promising Weight Loss Data

In a parallel development, Novo Nordisk presented Phase Ib/IIa data for amycretin, a novel drug targeting both GLP-1 and amylin receptors. The results, published in The Lancet, showed significant weight loss in a 125-participant study.

A 60-mg subcutaneous dose of amycretin led to a 24.3% reduction in body weight after 36 weeks, while a 20-mg dose resulted in a 22% weight loss. After adjusting for placebo effects, both doses demonstrated a 23.2% weight reduction, raising questions about optimal dosing for future trials.

Based on these encouraging results, Novo Nordisk announced its decision to advance both subcutaneous and oral formulations of amycretin into Phase III development. The company has not yet disclosed which doses will be used in the late-stage trials.

As Novo Nordisk continues to build its obesity treatment portfolio, these latest developments underscore the company's commitment to addressing the complex challenges of weight management and metabolic disorders. The pharmaceutical industry will be watching closely as these promising candidates progress through clinical development and potentially reshape the landscape of obesity treatment.