Novo Nordisk Announces Promising Results for CagriSema but Stocks Tell Different Story

Novo Nordisk has announced what they claim to be impressive results from its REDEFINE 2 Phase 3 clinical trial, showing that CagriSema, a once-weekly subcutaneous treatment, delivers superior weight loss for adults with obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes. The trial, which involved 1,206 participants, demonstrated that CagriSema resulted in a significant weight loss of 15.7% after 68 weeks, compared to just 3.1% with a placebo.

Novo Nordisk's recent REDEFINE 2 Phase 3 trial evaluated CagriSema—a combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide—for weight loss in patients with obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes. After 68 weeks, participants experienced an average weight loss of 15.7%, surpassing the 3.1% loss observed in the placebo group. However, this outcome fell short of both the anticipated 25% weight loss and the 22.7% reduction reported in a previous trial, leading to a significant decline in Novo Nordisk's stock value.

The trial involved 1,206 participants, with 61.9% achieving the highest dose of CagriSema. While the treatment was generally well-tolerated, with mild to moderate gastrointestinal side effects diminishing over time, investors expressed disappointment over the results, especially given the competitive landscape with drugs like Eli Lilly's Mounjaro.

Despite these challenges, Novo Nordisk remains committed to advancing CagriSema, with plans to seek regulatory approval in early 2026. The company continues to conduct additional trials to further assess the drug's efficacy and potential in the market.