Novo Nordisk’s new weight loss drug, amycretin, is showing greater potential than Wegovy for weight loss, as its trial resulted in a 13.1% weight loss for participants after 12 weeks, compared to Wegovy’s 6%. Upon the news, the Danish pharmaceutical company’s shares jumped 8% on Thursday.
Novo Nordisk will began phase II of the trial later this year, with results anticipated in early 2026. The company also reported earlier this week that late-stage trials found that another weight loss drug, Ozempic, decreased the risk of kidney disease progression or death from kidney or cardiovascular complications by 24% in patients with diabetes who also had chronic kidney disease.
“As we always say, safety will be key and Novo are waiting to see results of the subcutaneous formulation before making a clinical plan,” said Yuri Khodjamirian, chief investment officer at Tema ETFs. “Overall, we think this bolsters Novo’s position as it now has several follow up agents to Ozempic/Wegovy, where the patent expires in 2031/32, led by Cagrisema and now Amycretin, to help evergreen their obesity franchise.”