Novo Nordisk's CagriSema shows 25% weight loss in women in late-stage analysis

Novo Nordisk announced on October 20, 2026, that post-study analyses of its phase 3 REDEFINE 1 trial demonstrated CagriSema produced 25% average weight loss in women at 68 weeks. Subgroup evaluation showed reductions of 26.7% in premenopausal, 24.8% in perimenopausal, and 23.1% in postmenopausal women. The amylin-targeting weekly injection aims to succeed Wegovy before patent expirations after 2030, with Wall Street forecasting $11.84 billion in obesity sales by 2028.

Weight loss findings in female participants

• ▪Novo Nordisk presented the REDEFINE 1 trial's female participant data for CagriSema at the annual meeting of The Menopause Society in San Diego
• ▪Novo Nordisk announced on October 20, 2026, that REDEFINE 1 trial post-study analyses of 2,309 women with obesity or overweight receiving 2.4 mg CagriSema showed 25% average weight loss at 68 weeks versus 3% for placebo under uninterrupted treatment

Weight loss by menopausal stage

• ▪CagriSema treatment was associated with reductions in abdominal fat, measured by waist circumference, across all female participants and menopause stages in Novo Nordisk's post hoc trial analyses
• ▪A post hoc analysis of 1,902 women by menopausal status showed CagriSema produced 26.7% weight loss in premenopausal, 24.8% in perimenopausal, and 23.1% in postmenopausal women at 68 weeks, versus approximately 2% for placebo

Post hoc analysis context

• ▪Novo Nordisk stated that post hoc analyses of its CagriSema REDEFINE 1 trial are hypothesis-generating and require further study to confirm the results
• ▪Novo Nordisk interim head of clinical development Michelle Skinner Moore stated that exploring investigational products like CagriSema across the reproductive lifespan is important due to menopausal weight gain

Initial overall phase 3 trial results

• ▪The phase 3 REDEFINE 1 trial of CagriSema in over 3,400 adults resulted in an average weight loss of 22.7% at 68 weeks compared to 2.3% for placebo, with women comprising approximately 67% of participants
• ▪Investors previously responded coolly to CagriSema after initial overall phase 3 trial results showed a 22.7% weight loss, falling below Novo Nordisk's targeted 25% expectation

Therapies targeting the amylin pathway

• ▪CagriSema is an experimental weekly injection combining GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide with cagrilintide, a drug targeting the amylin pathway to mimic pancreatic hormones that regulate hunger and fullness
• ▪Pharmaceutical competitors Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are developing therapies targeting the pancreatic hormone amylin to create new revenue streams beyond existing GLP-1 obesity medications such as Wegovy and Ozempic

Commercial potential and strategic positioning

• ▪Wall Street analysts compiled by FactSet project CagriSema to generate $11.84 billion in global sales for obesity treatment in 2028
• ▪Novo Nordisk positioned CagriSema as a potential successor to its obesity medication Wegovy, which faces patent expirations after 2030, to defend market share against rival Eli Lilly