The European Union regulatory agency supports the use of Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B (NVO.US) Wegovy to treat obesity-related heart disease.

Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B (NVO.US) said on Thursday that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) supports the use of the company's bestselling drug Wegovy to alleviate heart failure in obese patients. This marks the second time that regulatory agencies have supported the use of Wegovy for purposes other than weight loss, further strengthening the case for the multiple health benefits of Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B. In addition, the agency also supports the use of Wegovy to reduce the major cardiovascular risks and stroke in overweight or obese adults without diabetes. Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B expects to soon update the label for Wegovy for use in patients with common heart diseases related to obesity, allowing the drug to be used in patients with obesity-related heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HFpEF is a condition characterized by stiffening of the heart muscle and reduced blood pumping, accounting for half of heart failure cases, with symptoms including shortness of breath and swelling in limbs. Late-stage study data showed that patients who took Wegovy for a year experienced weight loss and an improvement of 16.6 points on a 100-point scale measuring heart failure-related standards. Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B stated that the drug also improved physical limitations and exercise capacity in patients with this condition. Since 2022, this popular drug with the chemical name semaglutide has been approved by the European Union for treating obesity. The drug belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists, which help regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite. Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B's American competitor, Eli Lilly (LLY.US), has also received approval in the EU for their drug tirzepatide for weight loss. In a trial involving patients with preserved ejection fraction and obesity, tirzepatide showed a 38% reduction in heart failure risk. Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR Class B reiterated its plan to resubmit data to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) next year for Wegovy in alleviating heart failure in obese patients.