Investors Seek Answers on Novo Nordisk’s Next-Gen Obesity Drug CagriSema
Pressure Mounts for Clarity on Trial Results
Novo Nordisk is under pressure from investors for more information about its next-generation obesity drug candidate CagriSema amid a lack of clarity over trial results that hammered its shares in December.
Ambitious but Disappointing Data
Novo believes CagriSema could be more powerful than its blockbuster weight-loss injection Wegovy, but investors are worried whether it will be good enough to retake the lead from rival Eli Lilly in the competitive obesity drug market. Weaker than expected data from the trial was a blow to Novo’s ambitions to find a more powerful competitor to Lilly’s Zepbound, also known as Mounjaro.
Patients’ Experiences
In interviews with Reuters, five patients who participated in the trial that reported in December – or are part of a separate late-stage study – said the weekly injection helped them shed pounds quickly, but that they encountered what they characterised as significant side-effects including nausea, constipation, and fatigue.
Side-Effects and Dosing Regimen
In its December read-out, Novo said the most common adverse events in the trial were gastrointestinal and the vast majority were mild to moderate and diminished over time, consistent with CagriSema’s broader class of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs. However, patients who participated in the trial reported experiencing more severe side-effects, including repeated fainting and difficulty eating.
Investors Seek Clarity
In interviews with Reuters, more than a dozen investors and analysts called for more clarity about factors they say are weighing on Novo’s shares. They hope to get more information at Wednesday’s quarterly results. Lukas Leu, fund manager at healthcare-focused Bellevue Asset Management in Switzerland, which holds Novo shares, said he was disappointed Novo did not disclose the flexible dosing earlier or explain its reasons for doing so.
Life-Changing Experiences
Two people who participated in the CagriSema trial that reported in December, called REDEFINE-1, and three in an ongoing Phase III trial, called REDEFINE-4, which is testing CagriSema against Zepbound/Mounjaro, shared their experiences with Reuters. Michelle Rivera, who lives in Dallas, Texas, said she struggled to eat after she began taking CagriSema in the REDEFINE-4 trial. Leigh, another participant, said nausea, fatigue, and brain fog she experiences in the 24 hours after her weekly CagriSema injection are so bad that she sometimes can’t leave bed.
Conclusion
Investors and analysts are seeking more clarity on Novo Nordisk’s next-generation obesity drug CagriSema, citing concerns over trial results and potential side-effects. While some patients have reported life-changing weight loss, others have experienced significant side-effects. Novo Nordisk is expected to release full data and trial protocol at a scientific conference later this year, which may provide more insight into the drug’s efficacy and tolerability.
FAQs
Q: What is CagriSema?
A: CagriSema is a next-generation obesity drug candidate developed by Novo Nordisk.
Q: What are the concerns about CagriSema?
A: Investors and analysts are concerned about the lack of clarity over trial results, potential side-effects, and the dosing regimen.
Q: What are the side-effects reported by patients?
A: Patients have reported experiencing nausea, constipation, fatigue, and difficulty eating.
Q: Will Novo Nordisk provide more information about CagriSema?
A: Novo Nordisk is expected to release full data and trial protocol at a scientific conference later this year, which may provide more insight into the drug’s efficacy and tolerability.