Prime Highlights
- Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug semaglutide is showing benefits beyond obesity, with growing interest in its impact on heart and brain health.
- Scientists remain optimistic about the drug’s long-term medical potential despite market competition and investor concerns.
Key Facts
- The FDA has approved Wegovy for treating liver disease and for reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes in overweight patients.
- Semaglutide, originally developed for diabetes, is now widely used for obesity treatment and generates billions in annual revenue for Novo Nordisk.
Background
Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drugs, including semaglutide, known as Ozempic and Wegovy, are showing benefits beyond just helping with obesity, according to recent medical findings.
Initially created to help diabetes patients control blood sugar, semaglutide soon became popular for its appetite-reducing effects and is now approved to treat obesity. The drug brings in billions in revenue each year for Novo Nordisk.
Medical experts highlight that semaglutide’s potential extends far beyond weight management. The FDA has approved Wegovy for liver disease and to lower heart attack and stroke risk in overweight patients. Additionally, it can help manage chronic kidney disease in diabetes patients.
Studies suggest that drugs like semaglutide may also affect the brain. Research shows they could help reduce cravings for food, alcohol, tobacco, and other substances, which may support better control over addictive behaviors and decision-making.
Scientists are also looking at semaglutide’s potential for brain health. A recent clinical trial in Alzheimer’s patients did not show a major effect on thinking abilities, but experts say the study still provided important insights. Tests showed that semaglutide may help lower proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease and reduce inflammation in the body. Experts believe this could be more helpful if the drug is used earlier, before the disease progresses.
“Understanding how inflammation and energy use affect the brain is important for maintaining healthy brain function,” said Laura Nisenbaum, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.
Despite the medical progress, Novo Nordisk has faced difficulties in the stock market.
Still, scientists are optimistic that semaglutide and similar drugs could offer wider health benefits.
