09:09 AM EDT, 08/19/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) said Tuesday that Health Canada approved Ozempic as a first-and-only medication to improve glycemic control and reduce the risk of kidney failure, end-stage kidney disease and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

The company said the approval was based on the results of a flow trial, which showed a 24% reduction in risk of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular and kidney mortality with semaglutide 1 mg compared with placebo.

Ozempic is already approved in Canada as a once-weekly treatment for type 2 diabetes and the new approval adds kidney and cardiovascular protection for patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, the company said.

Shares of Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) were up 1.8% in recent Tuesday premarket activity.