Novo Nordisk's Promising Weight-Loss Pill Shows Positive Results

Novo Nordisk announced that its experimental weight-loss pill, amycretin, has shown promising results in an early-stage trial. Participants experienced up to 13.1% weight loss over 12 weeks, with mild-to-moderate side effects. The company is now considering advancing to Phase III trials based on ongoing research.

Novo Nordisk has revealed that its highly anticipated experimental weight-loss pill, amycretin, is both safe and tolerable for patients according to an early-stage trial. The pill resulted in up to 13.1% weight loss over 12 weeks, outpacing other drugs like Wegovy, which showed 6% weight loss in a similar timeframe.

The company presented the full data from their Phase I study at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting, further boosting their share prices. Despite the positive outcomes, the study reported some mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal side effects, similar to other GLP-1 drug class medications.

The decision to advance amycretin to Phase III trials will be made following ongoing studies. Notably, pills require larger amounts of active ingredients compared to injectable drugs, leading to higher production costs but greater patient preference. Novo's shares have seen significant growth since launching Wegovy in the U.S., making it Europe's most valuable listed company.

(With inputs from agencies.)