Novo Nordisk Readies Phase 3 Obesity Trial for Oral Semaglutide

Novo Nordisk is planning a late-stage study to evaluate a 50mg-capsule formulation of semaglutide as a treatment for obesity.

Currently approved as a treatment for diabetes, semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog that increases insulin secretion and sugar metabolism.

The Danish drugmaker plans to enroll an estimated 1,000 participants in the global trial who are either obese or overweight with comorbidities to compare the drug against placebo over 68 weeks.

The semaglutide capsule will complement Novo Nordisk’s injectable anti-obesity medications, said Martin Holst Lange, the company’s executive vice president of development.