explore

Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy cut the risk of major heart complications by 20% in a closely watched trial, results that could streamline insurance coverage and spur even greater demand for the highly popular therapy.

The milestone Select trial of about 17,500 patients is the first to show that an obesity medication leads to long-term cardiovascular benefits. The company reported only the topline figure in a press release Tuesday, and did not break out the reductions it said were seen in heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths — the combined components of the study’s primary outcome. It said all three contributed to the decrease in cardiovascular events in the group that received Wegovy compared with participants given a placebo.

advertisement

The 20% reduction was greater than many observers were expecting. In a research note Tuesday, Jefferies analysts called the results a “best case” outcome. “If they play baseball in Denmark,” Barclays analyst Emily Field wrote in a note, “Wegovy just hit a home run.”

Unlock this article by subscribing to STAT+ and enjoy your first 30 days free!