Positive new data for semaglutide vs dulaglutide

While financial results released this morning by Novo Nordisk (NOV: N) disappointed investors, there was better news from the Danish diabetes care giant with regard to new data investigating its semaglutide, which in December received US Food and Drug Administration approval under the trade name Ozempic as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Positive results from the SUSTAIN 7 trial, which investigated the efficacy and safety of 0.5mg semaglutide compared with 0.75mg dulaglutide (Eli Lilly’ [NYSE: LLY] Trulicity) and 1.0mg semaglutide compared with 1.5mg dulaglutide, when added to metformin, have been published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. The 40-week trial showed that people with type 2 diabetes treated with once-weekly semaglutide experienced statistically greater reductions in HbA1c and body weight compared to treatment with dulaglutide.

Analysts on average expect annual sales of Ozempic, which in December also gained a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency’s advisory committee, to reach $3.17 billion by 2023.