11:58 AM EDT, 09/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) spokesperson statement in the last two paragraph.)

Novo Nordisk's ( NVO ) obesity treatment drug Wegovy led to increased weight loss in patients during two late-stage clinical trials in which the dose was tripled to 7.2mg, the Financial Times reported Sunday.

The maximum approved dose is currently 2.4mg.

Patients in the larger of the two trials lost an average of 19% of their body weight after 72 weeks, compared with 16% on the 2.4mg dose and 4% on placebo, according to the report.

However, the results fell short of the parameters set by Eli Lilly's ( LLY ) rival drug, Zepbound and Mounjaro, which reported average weight loss of up to 22.5% in trials of its maximum approved dose, FT said.

Although the higher dose of Wegovy did not increase serious side effects or trial dropouts, about 71% patients experienced gastrointestinal symptoms, up from 61% on the current dose.

A Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) spokesperson told MT Newswires that the 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy demonstrated an average weight loss of 21% in people with obesity enrolled in the STEP UP trial, including a weight loss of 25% or more for a third of the participants compared with placebo.

Wegovy's higher dose is currently under review with the European Medicines Agency and a regulatory decision is expected "around the turn of the year," the spokesperson said.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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