New Weight Loss Drug CagriSema Shows Impressive Results in Clinical Trials
By Matthew Garza
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CagriSema is a once-weekly injection of semaglutide and cagrilintide. Phase 2 clinical trial results for CagriSema showed significant improvements in A1C, weight loss, and time in range, marking it as a promising new type 2 diabetes treatment.
Developed by Novo Nordisk, CagriSema is a combination medication of the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide and cagrilintide.
You may be familiar with semaglutide (known by its brand name Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight management), cagrilinitide mimics the hormone amylin, which is produced by the pancreas. Together with insulin, amylin makes people feel satiated or full after eating a meal.
Results from a recent phase 2 clinical trial found CagriSema to be a promising contender as a long-lasting treatment for type 2 diabetes given via a once-weekly injection. The trial included 92 adults who were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: semaglutide, cagrilintide, or cagrilintide and semaglutide.
Researchers measured participants’ A1C, weight, and time in range before starting treatment, and then again at the 32-week mark. Doses were maintained at the highest level for an additional 16 weeks. Those randomly assigned to the CagriSema group saw an A1C reduction of 2.2%, weight loss of 16%, and time in range improvements of 43%.
Results for the trial included:
|
Measure |
CagriSema |
Semaglutide |
Cagrilinitide |
|
Number of participants |
31 |
31 |
30 |
|
Average decrease in A1C |
2.2% |
1.8% |
0.9% |
|
Percentage of participants with an A1C ≤ 6.5% |
75% |
48% |
17% |
|
Average decrease in body weight |
15.6% |
5.1% |
8.1% |
|
Average increase in time in range |
43% | 43.6% | 14.8% |
Participants reported some side effects, which were mainly gastrointestinal such as nausea or vomiting. There were no instances of level 2 (less than 54 mg/dL) or level 3 hypoglycemia (severe hypoglycemia requiring the assistance of others). These results suggest CagriSema should be safe and that gastrointestinal side effects are similar to other GLP-1 medications.
CagriSema is still in the research phase and has not been approved by the FDA yet. Novo Nordisk is moving forward with phase 3 trials in people with type 2 diabetes called the REDEFINE trial program, which is recruiting now.
