Landmark trial finds obesity drug cuts CVD risk significantly

New findings from the SELECT trial indicate that semaglutide (Wegovy—Novo Nordisk) reduces the risk of major heart complications—heart attacks, strokes, and CV deaths—by 20%. The 5-year randomized trial of approximately 17,500 patients is the first to demonstrate that an obesity drug can have long-term CV benefits.

The trial included participants 45 years and older who were overweight or had obesity and who had established CVD.

Novo Nordisk said the drug seemed to have a “safe and well-tolerated profile” compared with prior studies of semaglutide. The company said it would offer detailed results from the trial at a conference later this year.

The drug’s high price, however, makes insurance coverage uncertain, and it’s unclear whether the new trial results may convince health insurers and employers to cover the therapy.