Novo Nordisk reports child obesity trial results

• Novo Nordisk reported that once-weekly semaglutide combined with lifestyle changes reduced BMI more than placebo in children aged 6 to under 12 with obesity.
• The phase 3 STEP Young trial enrolled 165 children, with 40.4% of semaglutide participants no longer classified as having obesity after 68 weeks compared with 0% on placebo.
• Novo Nordisk said safety results, including growth and pubertal development measures, were consistent with previous semaglutide trials.

Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) reported phase 3 STEP Young trial results showing once-weekly semaglutide plus lifestyle modification reduced BMI more than placebo in 165 children aged 6 to under 12 with obesity after 68 weeks.

The trial compared semaglutide treatment with placebo alongside reduced-calorie diets and increased physical activity, with participants having more than 85% prevalence of class II or III severe obesity at the start of the study.

The company reported that 40.4% of children receiving semaglutide were no longer classified as having obesity at week 68, compared with 0% of children receiving placebo, while doses ranged from 1.7 mg to 2.4 mg based on body weight.

The results showed the trial met its primary endpoint of percentage BMI change from baseline at week 68, with no new safety concerns identified by the company.

Novo Nordisk said the findings add to existing semaglutide clinical data across adult and paediatric populations as the company continues developing obesity treatments.

Novo Nordisk develops medicines for diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases, with semaglutide marketed in several products, including treatments for type 2 diabetes and weight management.