In a significant breakthrough, Novo Nordisk’s experimental drug CagriSema has demonstrated superior weight loss results compared to tirzepatide in late-stage trials, signalling a potential shift in the competitive landscape of metabolic disease treatments.
Novo Nordisk said on Monday that its experimental obesity and diabetes drug CagriSema beat tirzepatide on weight loss in a late-stage study of adults with type 2 diabetes, adding fresh momentum to its push to challenge Eli Lilly in the fast-growing metabolic disease market.
In the phase 3 REIMAGINE 5 trial, the once-weekly injection produced an average 12.4% weight loss at 60 weeks, compared with 9.1% for tirzepatide 5 mg. Novo said the treatment also met the study’s glucose target, delivering a non-inferior reduction in HbA1c, a key marker of long-term blood sugar control, versus the comparator drug. The company said the safety profile was consistent with earlier studies.
Novo also reported encouraging results from its REDEFINE 9 trial in people living with overweight or obesity. In that study, CagriSema 1.0 mg/1.0 mg cut body weight by 21.0% at 68 weeks, compared with 2.0% for placebo, and met the trial’s main superiority endpoint. The company said the drug also improved a series of secondary measures, including systolic blood pressure, waist-to-height ratio and fasting blood lipids.
The results come as Novo seeks to broaden its lead in obesity care and build a stronger case for CagriSema, a fixed-dose combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide. Novo has already filed for U.S. approval of the treatment for weight management, with a decision expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to the company. The latest data were unveiled at Novo’s Capital Markets Day briefing, alongside early findings in painful diabetic neuropathy, which the company said it plans to present later.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
