Novo Nordisk says semaglutide cut obesity rates in young children in trial

COPENHAGEN, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk on Monday reported results from a late-stage trial in which 40.4% of children aged 6 to under 12 who took semaglutide—the active ingredient in its blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy—were no longer classified as obese after 68 weeks, assuming full adherence to the treatment.

Every child enrolled in the STEP Young study also received lifestyle modification throughout the trial, including a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, according to the company.

Martin Holst Lange, Novo’s chief scientific officer, said: "We are encouraged by the positive STEP Young results and semaglutide’s potential to help children living with obesity who need medical treatment, alongside lifestyle changes, to better manage their obesity."

The study hit its primary endpoint, Novo said, with participants on once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide achieving greater body mass index reductions at week 68 than those on placebo.

Novo added that the overall safety and tolerability profile of semaglutide in the trial was aligned with results previously observed in adult and adolescent studies.

Prescriptions for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs among U.S. children younger than 12 have climbed more than 300-fold since 2019, according to a study published Friday, despite the fact that these medications are not approved for that age group.