Oct 21 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk said on

Monday an oral version of its drug semaglutide, helped

significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in

patients in a late-stage study.

The drug, Rybelsus, helped reduce the risk of these events,

including cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack and

stroke, by 14% compared to placebo, meeting the main goal of the

trial.

The study tested the drug as an adjunct to standard of care

in 9,650 patients with type 2 diabetes and established

cardiovascular disease and/or chronic kidney disease, the

company said.

Novo expects to file for a label expansion for Rybelsus in

the United States and the European Union around the turn of the

year.

The drugmaker said detailed results from the study will be

presented at a scientific conference next year.