Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) stock added more than 7% on Friday after the Danish drugmaker unveiled positive early-stage trial results for its weight loss drug amycretin.
The trial demonstrated that patients receiving the highest dose of amycretin, a unimolecular long-acting GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist, achieved an average weight loss of 22% after 36 weeks.
In contrast, placebo participants gained approximately 2% body weight during the same period.
The study involved 125 overweight or obese individuals and tested three doses (1.25 mg, 5 mg, and 20 mg) in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
The safety profile of amycretin was consistent with other incretin-based therapies, with gastrointestinal side effects being the most common and generally mild to moderate in severity.
Based on the trial results, Novo Nordisk is planning further clinical development of the drug in adults who are overweight or obese.
“We are very encouraged by the subcutaneous phase 1b/2a results for amycretin in people living with overweight or obesity,” Martin Lange, executive vice president for Development at Novo Nordisk, said in a statement.
“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.”