New Weight Loss Drug Shows Promise with Fewer Side Effects
New Weight Loss Drug Shows Promise with Fewer Side Effects
Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has announced promising Phase 3 trial results for a new weight loss medication that achieves comparable efficacy to Ozempic and Wegovy with significantly fewer gastrointestinal side effects.
The Breakthrough
The drug, codenamed NN9845, uses a novel mechanism that targets both appetite and metabolism:
- 18% average weight loss over 68 weeks
- 72% reduction in nausea compared to semaglutide
- Once-weekly injection (oral version in development)
- Improved tolerability allowing more patients to stay on treatment
Clinical Trial Results
The SUMMIT trial enrolled 4,200 participants across 15 countries:
| Metric | NN9845 | Placebo | Semaglutide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight loss | -18.2% | -2.1% | -17.8% |
| Nausea rate | 12% | 8% | 44% |
| Discontinuation | 8% | 4% | 24% |
| A1C reduction | -1.4% | -0.2% | -1.5% |
Why It Matters
Current GLP-1 medications have transformed obesity treatment, but side effects limit their use:
- Many patients can’t tolerate nausea and vomiting
- High discontinuation rates reduce long-term effectiveness
- Healthcare systems struggle with high costs per effective patient
A better-tolerated option could significantly expand access to effective treatment.
Market Implications
The announcement sent Novo Nordisk shares up 6%, while competitor Eli Lilly fell 3%. Analysts predict the obesity drug market will reach $100 billion by 2030.
Timeline
- Late 2026: FDA submission expected
- 2027: Potential approval
- 2028: Broad availability projected
Expert Perspective
“If these results hold up, this could be a game-changer,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, Harvard obesity medicine specialist. “The biggest barrier to successful treatment is tolerability. A drug patients can actually stay on long-term is what we’ve been waiting for.”
Caveats
Important considerations remain:
- Long-term safety data still needed
- Cost likely similar to current options ($1,000+/month)
- Supply chain constraints may limit initial availability
- Insurance coverage remains inconsistent
The race for better obesity treatments continues, with multiple companies developing next-generation options.