Novo Nordisk’s new daily weight loss pill showed a reduction in body weight of up to 13% after three months in an early Phase 1 clinical trial, as reported at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Spain.
The drug, named amycretin, appears to offer a faster weight loss rate than existing medications. Dr. Christopher McGowan, a gastroenterologist, noted that the results are about twice as effective as current GLP-1 agonists and are nearing the results of surgical interventions. “It shows real promise,” he said.
Dr. Susan Spratt, an endocrinologist at Duke Health, was impressed by the results, calling it “almost like a miracle pill.”
However, these findings are preliminary. The drug hasn’t been directly compared to other weight loss treatments and the results are not yet peer-reviewed. More research is needed to confirm these results over a longer period.
Martin Lange from Novo Nordisk explained that amycretin works similarly to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, mimicking hormones that reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness.
The Phase 1 trial involved adults with overweight or obesity taking amycretin or a placebo for up to 12 weeks, with some participants receiving increasing doses. While the trial primarily assessed safety, it found that those on the highest dose lost an average of 13.1% of their body weight, compared to 1.1% for those on the placebo.
Novo Nordisk reported that the drug seemed safe, with side effects similar to those of Ozempic and Wegovy, such as nausea and stomach issues.
A Phase 2 trial for individuals with Type 2 diabetes has now begun.
Concerns About Rapid Weight Loss
Despite the impressive results, McGowan raised concerns about the rapid weight loss, emphasizing the importance of sustainable methods for maintaining weight and preserving muscle mass.
He also sought more information on side effects. “Is the rapid weight loss due to reduced hunger or other issues?” he asked.
Spratt expressed interest in understanding how much of the weight loss was from fat versus muscle, as muscle loss can affect glucose metabolism. She also wanted more details on dropout rates and side effects, which will likely be shared in future publications.