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☆ Drug distributor Cardinal sees sales boost from weight-loss drugs in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Mariam E Sunny | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 15 (Reuters) - Drug distributor Cardinal Health Inc (CAH.N) on Tuesday raised fiscal 2024 expectations for sales at its pharmaceutical unit, banking on growing demand for newer weight-loss drugs, including GLP-1 treatments. Cardinal peers AmerisourceBergen (ABC.N) and McKesson (MCK.N) have also flagged a potential boost to revenues for drug distributors due to high demand for these drugs. It now expects revenue from its pharmaceuticals unit to rise 10% to 12% in fiscal 2024, compared with its previous expectation of about 10% growth. It raised its 2024 profit forecast slightly to a range of $6.50 to $6.75 per share, from $6.45 to $6.70 it had forecast previously. Excluding one-off items, Cardinal Health reported a profit of $1.55 per share in the fourth quarter ended June 30, topping expectations of $1.49 per share.

Persons: Novo, Eli Lilly's, it's, Cardinal, AmerisourceBergen, Aaron Alt, Vaibhav Sadhamta, Mariam Sunny, Pooja Desai Organizations: Health Inc, Cardinal Health, Thomson Locations: United States, Bengaluru

☆ Amazon Pharmacy automates discounts to help insulin patients get pledged prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Patrick Wingrove | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Aug 15 (Reuters) - Amazon.com (AMZN.O) said on Tuesday its online pharmacy will automatically apply manufacturer-sponsored coupons to more than 15 insulin and diabetes medicines to help patients access discounts pledged by the drug industry. Vin Gupta, Amazon Pharmacy's Chief Medical Officer, said the report highlighted the need to make it easier for patients to get their insulin at the lowest possible prices. Amazon Pharmacy will also automatically apply available discounts to diabetes-related medical devices from manufacturers Dexcom and Insulet, including continuous glucose monitors and pumps, as well as to other cardiometabolic medicines such as Novo's powerful weight-loss drug Wegovy. American Diabetes Association Chief Executive Officer Charles Henderson said Amazon's automated discounting would help the 37 million Americans with diabetes more easily access the treatments they need. So, we're going to create options that gives them access to these medications," Amazon Pharmacy Vice President John Love told Reuters.

Persons: Eli Lilly, Lilly, Elizabeth Warren, Vin Gupta, Wegovy, Charles Henderson, John Love, Patrick Wingrove, Sandra Maler Organizations: Amazon Pharmacy, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Amazon, Congress, American Diabetes Association, Walgreens, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New York

☆ Tiger Global cuts largest holdings, doubles down on Nvidia, Apollo Global Management
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Coleman lowered his exposure in six of his top 10 holdings, including some of the largest technology stocks. 2 holding Microsoft by $82.5 million, or 4.4%, and slashed his stakes in Amazon.com, his seventh-largest holding, by 61%. Coleman raised his stake in Nvidia by 1,300%, which was worth about $194.9 million. Coleman raised his position in the stock by 492%. Coleman, who was one of the so-called Tiger Cubs who worked under Julian Robertson at Tiger Management, also doubled down on his stake in alternative asset manager Apollo Global Management.

Persons: Chase, Coleman, Eli Lilly, Uber, Julian Robertson Organizations: Tiger Global Management, Nvidia, Microsoft, Novo Nordisk, Tiger Cubs, Tiger Management, Apollo Global Management, Intuit

☆ UBS says this stock is the 'best story' among U.S. large caps, sees more than 15% upside ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Christina Cheddar Berk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Calling it the "best fundamental story" among U.S. large caps, UBS analyst Colin Bristow on Friday lifted his price target to $612 from $526. The stock has already gained 47% year to date, mostly on the back of lofty expectations for weight loss drug sales. Bristow also expects data for its Crohn's disease treatment by year-end, as well as readouts on Verzenio for prostate cancer. Then by 2024, Lilly is expected to submit data for a cell therapy for type 1 diabetes. And there's potential for even more upside if the drug adds other indications such as renal treatment, he said.

Persons: Eli Lilly, Colin Bristow, Bristow, Lilly, Jaypirca, Novo's, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: UBS, Food, Drug, European Union, Novo Locations: U.S

☆ A revolution in weight loss treatment may force a reckoning for food and beverage companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Christina Cheddar Berk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

One such prediction came Monday from Morgan Stanley analysts who forecasted a 1.3% drop in calorie consumption in the U.S. by 2035. The shift in behavior is notable because it will affect a sizeable demographic group that represents a disproportionate share of food consumption, the analysts said. In fact, some patients taking these medicines say they have to sometimes force themselves to eat due to a lack of appetite. These types of patterns were seen in consumer research Morgan Stanley conducted in June and July among 300 patients taking these medicines. Keurig Dr Pepper, with its coffee business accounting for about 30% of corporate sales, offers some diversification from at-risk beverage categories, Morgan Stanley said.

Persons: you've, Morgan Stanley, Pamela Kaufman, Read, Campbell, Mondelez, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, Morgan Stanley's, Morgan, John David Rainey, We've, we're, Rainey, Dara Mohsenian, Eric Serotta, Dr Pepper Organizations: Hostess Brands, Hershey, Nordisk's Ozempic, Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration, Novo Nordisk, Industry, Lawmakers, Walmart Locations: U.S, Cava

☆ This pharma ETF is headed for its best week of the year as investors cheer new weight loss drugs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The excitement around new drugs that can help people shed weight quickly has created a banner week for certain health care ETFs. That would be its best stretch since the week ended June 24, 2022, when the fund gained 8.3%, according to FactSet. IHE 5D mountain The iShares fund focused on drugmakers is on track for its best week of the year. Zoetis , the third largest holding in the iShares fund, has rallied more than 6% this week after its second-quarter report. Meanwhile, the VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) has gained more than 4% so far this week, which would also be its best week of the year.

Persons: Eli Lilly, Wegovy Organizations: U.S . Pharmaceuticals, Mounjaro, Novo Nordisk, VanEck Pharmaceutical Locations: U.S, Danish

☆ As weight loss drug stocks rallied on a landmark study, these stocks were over sold, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Christina Cheddar Berk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

However, the pharmaceutical companies are making the case that weight loss can improve health, and possibly lower health-care costs over time. But analysts have said the news isn't all bad for such stocks, and many were fell too low on Tuesday. Deutsche Bank analyst Imron Zafar estimated Thursday that bariatric surgery accounts for about 5% of Intuitive Surgical's U.S. robotic surgery business, but has been driving much of the company's growth. Some of the surgeons Zafar spoke with said any drop off in bariatric surgery was likely to be offset by increased use of the robot for other procedures. But they expect the drugs will remain necessary because GLP-1 drugs have yet to show they improve fibrosis, which is associated with NASH.

Persons: nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH, Abbott, Robbie Marcus, Marcus, Marcus doesn't, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Stryker, Smith, Zimmer Biomet, Bariatric, Imron Zafar, Zafar Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Abbott Laboratories, CNBC, JPMorgan, Companies, Inspire Medical Systems, Resmed, Philips, Nephew, Deutsche Bank, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Sagimet Biosciences, Akero Therapeutics, Terns Pharmaceuticals, Viking Therapeutics, Madrigal Locations: U.S

☆ Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy Will Stay Hard to Get This Year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Peter Loftus | Dominic Chopping | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/novo-nordisk-raises-guidance-amid-surging-demand-for-diabetes-obesity-drugs-e482eeb2

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: nordisk

Companies Novo Nordisk A/S FollowCOPENHAGEN, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk's (NOVOb.CO) limits on U.S. supplies of starter doses of its hugely popular Wegovy weight-loss drug will last into next year even as the Danish drugmaker spends billions boosting output, its CEO told Reuters on Thursday. Earlier on Thursday, the company said it would continue to restrict U.S. supplies of starter doses of Wegovy as the company struggles to keep up with soaring demand. Novo has denied this, but when asked about this on Thursday Jorgensen said there may be shortages. The company expects to apply for regulatory approval for an expanded label indication in the U.S. and European Union later this year. "It'll take some time before we get it on label," Jorgensen said.

Persons: Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, Thursday Jorgensen, Jim Vondruska, Jorgensen, " Jorgensen, Martin Lange, Nikolaj Skydsgaard, Jacob Gronholt, Josephine Mason, Jason Neely, Mark Potter Organizations: Novo Nordisk, COPENHAGEN, Reuters, REUTERS, Wegovy, Union, American Heart Association, Pedersen, Thomson Locations: Danish, Chicago , Illinois, U.S, Philadelphia, Copenhagen, London

☆ Novo Nordisk extends U.S. supply curbs on weight-loss drug Wegovy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Nikolaj Skydsgaard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The news came as the Danish drugmaker raised its full-year profit and sales forecasts for a second time. Wegovy is a weekly injection that can help patients to shed 15% of their weight alongside diet and exercise changes. Reuters has reported that larger doses are also in short supply, which Novo has denied. Many analysts had expected Novo to raise earnings guidance, given the huge U.S. demand for the weekly injection. The company also warned that it expected "continued periodic" supply constraints and drug shortages across a number of products and geographies.

Persons: Jacob Gronholt, Pedersen, Ozempic, Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, Novo, " Jorgensen, Henrik Hallengreen Laustsen, Laustsen, Nikolaj Skydsgaard, Josephine Mason, Mark Potter Organizations: Novo Nordisk, REUTERS, Reuters, World Health Organization, Jyske Bank, Thomson Locations: Novo, Copenhagen, Denmark, U.S, COPENHAGEN, Danish

☆ Novo Nordisk to acquire obesity drug maker Inversago Pharma for up to $1 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Novo Nordisk on Thursday said it will acquire Inversago Pharma, a privately held obesity drug maker, for up to $1.08 billion to broaden the Danish company's blockbuster weight loss portfolio. The deal's price depends on whether Inversago reaches certain development and sales goals, Novo Nordisk said in a release. Canada-based Inversago develops experimental therapies to treat people with obesity, diabetes and other conditions affecting the body's metabolism. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic work by mimicking a hormone produced in the gut to suppress a person's appetite. Novo Nordisk intends to further investigate the potential of the oral drug for obesity and obesity-related complications.

Persons: Novo, Martin Holst Lange, Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, availabilities Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Inversago Pharma, Novo, Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, Nordisk, Reuters Locations: Danish, Inversago, Canada, U.S

☆ Obesity drug data could boost companies' case for US coverage, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Patrick Wingrove | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Wegovy prescriptions were up 300% at their peak, according to data from Barclays, before supply issues began to hamper sales. A COMPELLING CASEAnalysts said the data made a compelling case for long-term health benefits of the drug. Analysts were divided on whether Medicare could potentially cover Wegovy as a cardiovascular treatment without a new law passing. Three doctors specializing in obesity treatment, including a cardiologist, were not sure whether such an indication would allow for Medicare coverage. Companies that provide healthcare insurance have begun pulling back on coverage of weight loss drugs because of the high cost of the medicines.

Persons: Read, Eli Lilly, Stacie Dusetzina, Wegovy, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, Evan Seigerman, Eugene Yang, Morningstar, Damien Conover, Tom Carper, Eli Lilly's, Dusetzina, Patrick Wingrove, Elissa Welle, Ahmed Aboulenein, Caroline Humer Organizations: Novo Nordisk, U.S, Vanderbilt University, Medicare, Barclays, University of Washington Medicine, Companies, Democratic, Novo, Reuters, Democrat, Republican, Thomson Locations: New York, Danish, Washington

☆ Wegovy-maker Novo Nordisk raises outlook as sales of its weight-loss drug soar
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Hannah Ward-Glenton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A selection of injector pens for the Saxenda weight loss drug are shown in this photo illustration in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., March 31, 2023. The company's diabetes and obesity division performed particularly well, bolstered by interest in its blockbuster injection Wegovy. Novo Nordisk , which makes the weight-loss drug Wegovy, raised its outlook for 2023 Thursday, as it reported soaring sales. For 2023, the company now anticipates sales growth of 27%-33% and operating profit growth of 31%-37%, at constant exchange rates. The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, an FDA-approved drug that works by imitating a naturally-occurring gut hormone that helps to regulate appetite.

Persons: Wegovy, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, — Sam Meredith Organizations: Novo Nordisk, FDA Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, Danish

☆ Barclays: Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have first-move advantage in the obesity drug race
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBarclays: Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have first-move advantage in the obesity drug raceEmily Field, Head of European Pharmaceutical Research at Barclays, discusses Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and competition in the weight-loss/obesity drug space.

Persons: Eli Lilly, Emily Field Organizations: Barclays, Novo Nordisk, European Pharmaceutical Research

☆ Mizuho's Jared Holz on Novo Nordisk: There's not much upside near-term
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMizuho's Jared Holz on Novo Nordisk: There's not much upside near-termJared Holz, Mizuho healthcare strategist, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss Novo Nordisk's quarterly earnings results, which hiked its outlook for 2023 after reporting a 30% increase in sales for the first half of the year, powered by strong demand for its weight loss drugs, and more.

Persons: Jared Holz Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Novo Locations: Novo, Mizuho

☆ Wall St ends lower after bank rating cuts spark wider sell-off
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( David French | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The S&P 500 Banks index (.SPXBK) has slipped 2.5% year to date, compared with a 17.2% gain by the S&P 500, and the downgrades exposed the fragility of investors' confidence towards financial stocks. The banks index slid 1.1% on Tuesday, while the KBW Regional Banking index (.KRX) dipped 1.4%. Reaction to the bank downgrades pushed up the CBOE Market Volatility index (.VIX), Wall Street's fear gauge, at one point hitting a two-month high. Eight of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors fell. The S&P 500 posted 13 new 52-week highs and 17 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 46 new highs and 195 new lows.

Persons: Eli Lilly, Moody's, Goldman Sachs, Jason Pride, Brendan McDermid, Bansari Mayur Kamdar, Johann M, David French, Sriraj Kalluvila, Vinay Dwivedi, Richard Chang Organizations: Dow, Nasdaq, Bank of New York Mellon, U.S . Bancorp, Truist, Silicon Valley Bank, Bank of America, Traders, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Dow Jones, Novo Nordisk, Dish Network, United Parcel Service, Thomson Locations: U.S, Silicon, KBW, New York City, China, Denmark, Bengaluru, New York

☆ We are buying one health-care stock and raising our price target on another
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

We are buying 100 shares of GE Healthcare Technologies (GEHC) at roughly $73.76. Following the trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 850 shares of GEHC, increasing its weighting in the portfolio to 2.16% from 1.91%. The medical device group has been in a steady decline lately as the aversion to health-care stocks this year continues, and we are using this weakness to buy a little more of GE Healthcare. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB.

Persons: Jim Cramer's, —, Peter Arduini, Eli Lilly Eli Lilly, Lilly, Eli Lilly, Jim Cramer, Jim, Jim Cramer Rob Kim Organizations: GE Healthcare Technologies, GEHC, GE Healthcare, GE, Novo Nordisk, Jefferies, pharma, CNBC Locations: Lilly

☆ Jefferies upgrades Eli Lilly as enthusiasm around weight-loss drugs grows following Wegovy study
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Jefferies is encouraged by recent results from a weight-loss drug study that could help lift Eli Lilly . Analyst Akash Tewari lauded the strong results from a recent trial study surrounding Novo Nordisk's weight loss drug Wegovy . Eli Lilly also raised its full-year guidance on Tuesday. Eli Lilly as added more than 42% upside from the start of the year. LLY YTD mountain Eli Lilly year to date — CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.

Persons: Jefferies, Eli Lilly, Akash Tewari, Wegovy, Tewari, Eli Lilly's, NVO, Michael Bloom

☆ European markets climb with inflation, Italian banks in focus
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON — European markets advanced on Wednesday, as traders digested China's disinflation and Italy's weakening of a surprise windfall tax on banks. The European blue chip index closed the Tuesday session 0.2% lower, with banks shedding 2.7% after the Italian government announced a surprise windfall tax on excess profits. Shares of Italian banks took a tumble on Tuesday as a result of a tax on net interest income announced on Monday. Citi analysts estimated that the levy represent around 19% of Italian lenders' net profits for the year. A Reuters poll of economists produced a consensus forecast for the July print of 3.3% year-on-year, up from 3% in June.

Persons: Hong Kong, Moody's Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Monday, Citi, Global, U.S, CPI, Federal, ABN Amro, TUI Locations: Stocks, China, Hong, Europe

☆ Why this landmark cardiac study means a bigger market for Lilly's blockbuster weight loss drug
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Christina Cheddar Berk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

A landmark study of the cardiovascular benefits of weight loss drug Wegovy is being seen as a pivotal step toward broadening access to these drugs. The drug, also known as tirzepatide, is expected to be approved for weight loss by the Food and Drug Administration by year-end. Notably, Medicare does reimburse obese patients for weight loss surgery, but Mounjaro has been able to help patients realize an average weight loss that approaches the typical success of bariatric procedures. If CMS is able to reimburse patients for weight loss treatment that would significantly increase access, boosting sales. "This is the first time a weight [loss] medicinal intervention has shown to have cardiovascular risk reduction.

Persons: enrollees, Eli Lilly, Lilly, Akash Tewari, NVO, Tewari, Wells, Mounjaro, Mohit Bansal, Robert Califf, Goldman Sachs, Chris Shibutani, Shibutani, Goldman, Refinitiv, Morgan Stanley, comorbidities, Bansal Organizations: Nordisk's Ozempic, Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferies, Medicare, Services, GLP, STAT, Goldman, Lilly, Novo Nordisk, BMI, Novo Locations: U.S, GLP, Tuesday's

☆ U.S. doctors are 'wowed' by Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug data, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailU.S. doctors are 'wowed' by Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug data, analyst saysPeter Verdult, managing director of Citi Pharma Research Citigroup, discusses the findings of Novo Nordisk 's closely watched "SELECT" trial.

Persons: Peter Verdult Organizations: Novo, Citi Pharma Research Citigroup, Novo Nordisk

☆ Insurers face long road, high cost to cover obesity drugs after promising Wegovy heart health data
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

There is likely a long way to go before the U.S. sees increased insurance coverage for obesity drugs. While the trial results demonstrate that obesity drugs may have significant health benefits beyond shedding unwanted pounds, organizations representing U.S. insurers emphasized that the data is still preliminary. "Health insurance providers will continue to analyze new evidence as it becomes available," he added. Ceci Connolly, CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans, acknowledged the promise of the data but said "outrageous prices should give everyone pause." The organization represents regional, community-based health plans that cover more than 18 million Americans across the U.S.

Persons: Jim Vondruska, Wegovy, Eli Lilly, David Allen, Ceci Connolly, Jared Holz, It's, Debra Tyler's, Joe Buglewicz, Eduardo Grunvald, George Frey, UCSD's Gunvald, Eli, Ethan Lazarus, Lazarus Organizations: Reuters Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk, America's Health, Alliance of Community Health, U.S, Drugs, Pfizer, Medicare, CVS, Aetna, CNBC, Washington Post, Getty, UCSD Health's Center, International Foundation of Employee, University of Texas System, UTS, Novo, Reuters, Obesity Medicine Association, New England, of Medicine Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, Mizuho, Killingworth, Conn, Texas

☆ Obesity drug Wegovy's landmark trial result could 'open up' health insurance access, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Until now, some health insurers have been reluctant to cover the drug, given its high costs and a lack of data around its underlying health benefits. But the results of the latest trial data could change that. "Do I think most payers will adopt [obesity drugs] overnight because of the SELECT trial? According to the World Health Organization, global obesity rates have almost tripled over the past decade. Novo Nordisk shares soared by 17% following the release of the trial results on Tuesday.

Persons: Jim Vondruska, Peter Verdult, CNBC's, Wegovy, Verdult, Martin Holst Lange, Eli Lilly, Mounjaro, Michael Mason, Eli Lily, Lilly Diabetes, It's, Lilly, Novo, Lily Organizations: Reuters LONDON, Novo Nordisk, Citi, Novo, World Health Organization, Barclays, Citi Verdult, European Markets Authority Locations: Chicago , Illinois, Danish, U.S, Europe, London

☆ Wegovy shown to reduce risk of heart attack, stroke in major cardiovascular trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Meg Tirrell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The weight loss drug Wegovy was shown to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or heart disease-related death by 20% in a major clinical trial in people with cardiovascular disease, the first to show a weight loss drug alone can have such protective effects. It called the five-year trial “Select.”The finding of a 20% reduction in heart risk is higher than many experts had anticipated. A similar trial for the type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic, which uses the same ingredient, semaglutide, previously showed it could reduce cardiovascular risk by 26% — but no trial had yet shown a risk reduction in people without diabetes. It said it will present detailed results from the trial at a scientific conference later this year. It’s awaiting US Food and Drug Administration approval for weight loss as well.

Persons: Wegovy, 2.4mg, ”, Martin Holst Lange, Novo, Dr, Willa Hsueh, Jena Shaw Tronieri, Sanjay Gupta, Fuller, Steven Nissen, Eli Lilly, It’s, ” Nissen, he’d Organizations: CNN, Novo Nordisk, Diabetes, Metabolism Research, Wexner, The Ohio State University, Clinical Services, Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Nordisk, CNN Health, Cleveland, Food and Drug

A selection of injector pens for the Wegovy weight loss drug are shown in this photo illustration in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., March 31, 2023. The study called SELECT involved 17,500 patients aged 45 years or older with no prior history of diabetes and started almost five years ago testing if the weekly injection has medical benefits. The landmark trial data shows Wegovy has "the potential to change how obesity is regarded and treated," said Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president for development at Novo Nordisk, in a statement. Novo Nordisk said it expects to file for regulatory approvals of a label indication expansion for the weekly injection in the United States and European Union this year. The detailed results from the trial will be presented at a scientific conference later in 2023.

Persons: Jim Vondruska, Wegovy, Danish drugmaker, That's, Martin Holst Lange, Soren Lontoft Hansen, Novo, Maggie Fick, Nikolaj Skydsgaard, Josephine Mason, Sharon Singleton, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: REUTERS, COPENHAGEN, Novo Nordisk, Nordisk, European Union, World Health Organization, Barclays, Thomson Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, LONDON, Danish, Europe's, United States, Europe, European, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Norwegian

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