Novo Nordisk announced post-hoc analysis of its STEP UP trial, presented at the European Congress on Obesity, which found that “early responders” to Wegovy (semaglutide 7.2 mg), those losing at least 15% by week 24, averaged 27.7% weight loss at week 72.
Novo Nordisk, the Danish healthcare company, said the randomised 72-week trial enrolled 1,407 adults with obesity without diabetes and recorded mean weight loss of 21% on semaglutide 7.2 mg, 17.5% on 2.4 mg and 2.4% on placebo.
About 26.9% of participants on 7.2 mg were early responders compared with 20.9% on 2.4 mg and 3% on placebo.
“These studies show that weight loss with Wegovy® is predominantly driven by reductions in fat, while muscle function is preserved,” said Emil Kongshøj Larsen, executive vice president and head of International Operations at Novo Nordisk.
A separate STEP UP sub-analysis of 55 participants found 84% of the lost weight was fat, abdominal visceral fat fell by over 30%, muscle mass fell by about 10% while measures of muscle fat improved and a 30-second sit-to-stand test showed preserved functional strength.
