Novo Nordisk has announced new data showing that its once-weekly glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist Ozempic provided greater weight reductions than Eli Lilly’s rival drug Trulicity in adults with type II diabetes.

The exploratory analysis of data from the SUSTAIN 7 trial showed greater reductions in weight across all BMI subgroups with Ozempic (semaglutide) versus Trulicity (dulaglutide) across all doses tested.

Adults with a higher baseline BMI (>25 kg/m2) taking Ozempic generally achieved greater weight reductions than those with lower baseline BMI (<25 kg/m2).

Also of note, more people achieved weight reductions of >5 percent and >10 percent with Ozempic vs Trulicity in all BMI subgroups, the Danish drugmaker said.

"Globally, up to ninety percent of people with type II diabetes are overweight or have obesity. Therefore, it is important to consider how to manage weight in this population," said Dr Adie Viljoen, SUSTAIN 7 chief investigator and consultant chemical pathologist, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, UK.

"Based on the SUSTAIN clinical trial programme, Ozempic can help people living with type 2 diabetes manage their HbA1C and has the potential to help them lose some weight."

The findings follow data from the SUSTAIN programme published last year showing that Ozempic (0.5mg dose) achieved a statistically significant and superior reduction in HbA1c of 1.5 percent versus 1.1 percent Trulicity (0.75mg).

Ozempic was approved in Europe in February this year as a monotherapy to treat adults with type II diabetes when metformin is considered inappropriate, and also as an addition to other medicinal products to improve glycaemic control.