Novo Nordisk semaglutide cut cardio risks by 14% in diabetics: study

Novo Nordisk (NVO) said an oral formulation of its blockbuster drug semaglutide was able to significantly cut the risk of suffering a major cardiovascular event such as stroke in a study of patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and/or chronic kidney disease.
The Phase 3 study, called SOUL, showed patients who were given oral semaglutide had a 14% lower risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiovascular event such as cardiovascular death, non-fatal stroke or non-fatal myocardial infarction.
The study, which included 9,650 patients, compared semaglutide to placebo as an adjunct therapy to standard of care. About 49% were also given a SGLT2i medication at some point as part of their standard of care, according to a statement.
Novo Nordisk (NVO) markets oral semaglutide for diabetes under the brand name Rybelsus. The company said it hopes to file for expanded approval of Rybelsus in the U.S. and E.U. around the turn of the year. Detailed results from the SOUL study will be presented at a scientific meeting in 2025.
Novo Nordisk (NVO) markets an injected form of semaglutide for diabetes under the brand name Ozempic and for weight loss under the name Wegovy. The drug belongs to the same class as Eli Lilly’s (LLY) tirzepatide, which is sold for diabetes as Mounjaro and for weight loss as Zepbound.

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