Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy may quiet thoughts about food, study shows; shares up

Investing.com -- New research shows Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug Wegovy can help patients reduce constant thoughts about food, a finding that could broaden the drug’s appeal beyond weight management.

Novo Nordisk ’s (CSE:NOVOb) U.S.-listed shares rose 2.6% in premarket trading Tuesday as of 06:32 ET.

Results presented at a medical conference in Austria indicated that patients using Wegovy experienced a sharp reduction in so-called “food noise”—persistent, intrusive thoughts about eating—alongside gains in mental health and lifestyle habits.

The company said that the share of people who experienced nonstop thoughts about food fell by 46% after starting treatment.

In addition, 64% of participants said their mental well-being improved, and 80% reported adopting healthier behaviors while on the drug.

“It is very encouraging to see these new data from people using Wegovy that, in addition to weight-loss, Wegovy may help quiet disruptive thoughts about food, support improved mental well-being and help enable people to live healthier lives,” said Filip Knop, incoming chief medical officer at Novo Nordisk.

The findings came from the U.S.-based Inform study, which surveyed 550 patients using Wegovy for weight reduction to examine its impact on mental health and eating-related habits.

Novo Nordisk’s most recent trial results showed that a higher dose of Wegovy led to greater weight loss. 

Semaglutide, sold as Wegovy for weight management and Ozempic for diabetes, was tested at 7.2mg—triple the currently approved 2.4mg dose—in two late-stage studies.

In the larger trial, patients lost an average of 19% of body weight over 72 weeks, versus 16% on the standard dose and 4% on placebo.

The results, however, trailed Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound and Mounjaro, which achieved nearly 21% weight loss at its top dose. Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) recently lifted U.K. prices for Mounjaro by as much as 170%.

Investors have been pressing Novo to strengthen its obesity pipeline as Lilly advances more drug candidates. While semaglutide’s latest results show room for incremental benefit, Novo has been losing U.S. market share to Lilly and to compounded versions of its drugs.

The company’s stock has declined nearly 60% over the past year, and it replaced its CEO in May.

Last week, the company announced plans to cut 9,000 jobs.