Mayo Clinic Study Highlights Potential of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy for Cardiac Health and Weight Loss

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that Novo Nordisk A/S's NVO Wegovy (semaglutide) reduced the risk of heart disease and boosted weight loss.

After a year of taking semaglutide, the risk of a heart attack or a stroke over the next ten years dropped to 6.3% from 7.6% when measured by a commonly used calculator, researchers at the Mayo Clinic found.

The study included 93 patients, and the researchers said that more extensive studies were needed to see if the risk reduction score meant less illness and death long-term.

Novo is expected to release results from its 5-year SELECT trial looking into the health impact of its injectable drug later this year. 

Investors, governments, and insurers are closely watching the data.

"It is extremely important because we know obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease," Dr Andres Acosta, one of the researchers, told Reuters.

"So the question is, with medications that are 15% [average weight loss], can we really start improving cardiovascular risk and say people are dying less?"

The research was peer-reviewed by the congress organizers, the European Association for the Study of Obesity, but the full paper is not yet available. Novo did not fund the study.

Price Action: NVO shares are up 0.10% at $170.71 on the last check Monday.