Shares of Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk surged on Friday following the release of promising early-stage trial results for its new obesity drug, amycretin. The once-weekly injectable treatment demonstrated significant weight loss in overweight and obese patients, further solidifying the company’s dominance in the weight loss and diabetes treatment markets.
Key Trial Results
The early-stage study, conducted on 125 overweight or obese patients, revealed an average weight reduction of 22% after just 36 weeks of treatment with amycretin. In contrast, patients who received a placebo experienced an average weight gain of 2% during the same period.
The trial results highlight amycretin’s potential as a groundbreaking treatment for obesity, joining Novo Nordisk’s flagship products like Wegovy and Ozempic, which have already gained widespread recognition for their effectiveness in weight management and diabetes care.
The most common side effects observed in the trial were gastrointestinal issues, which were predominantly mild to moderate in severity.
Market Reaction
Novo Nordisk’s stock closed 7.13% higher on Friday, after earlier gains of nearly 14%, marking its best single trading session since March 2024. The positive momentum in Novo Nordisk’s shares also lifted the stock of fellow Danish obesity drug maker Zealand Pharma, which rose by 4.7%. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly, a key competitor and maker of the obesity drug Zepbound, saw its shares dip slightly in premarket trading.
About Amycretin
Amycretin is Novo Nordisk’s latest innovation targeting obesity. The drug mimics GLP-1, a gut hormone that regulates appetite, as well as amylin, a pancreas hormone that influences hunger. This dual action sets amycretin apart as a unimolecular receptor agonist, combining weight management capabilities with hunger suppression.
Martin Lange, Novo Nordisk’s executive vice president for development, expressed optimism about the trial’s results:
“We are very encouraged by the subcutaneous phase 1b/2a results for amycretin in people living with overweight or obesity. The results seen in the trial support the weight-lowering potential of this novel unimolecular GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist, amycretin, that we have previously seen with the oral formulation.”
Future Prospects
Novo Nordisk is also developing an oral version of amycretin, which offers new possibilities for patients seeking easier administration methods. Early-stage trials for the oral formulation, announced in September 2024, showed an average weight loss of 13.1% after 12 weeks, with mild to moderate side effects.
The company is optimistic about amycretin becoming a key player in its weight management portfolio, complementing its existing products, Wegovy and Ozempic. As the global demand for effective obesity treatments continues to rise, Novo Nordisk remains well-positioned to lead the market.
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