Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy Approved for Heart Health in England
Novo Nordisk saw a rise of up to 4% in its stock after England’s health authority recommended its popular drug, Wegovy, for preventing heart attacks and strokes. This marks a significant step as it’s the first GLP-1 medication endorsed for this purpose in the country.
Initially designed for weight loss, Wegovy has also gained approval for reducing major cardiovascular risks in individuals who are overweight or obese.
The recent endorsement from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will enhance accessibility to Wegovy through the National Health Service (NHS). It is estimated that around 1.2 million people could benefit from this treatment to help prevent further heart-related issues, according to a statement made by NICE.
Specifically, NICE recommended semaglutide, the main ingredient in both Wegovy and diabetes medication Ozempic, for adults who have a history of heart attacks, strokes, or serious circulation problems, provided they have a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher.
Novo’s shares were trading up 1.7% in the morning session, slightly off earlier highs. The Stoxx 600 index experienced a 1.8% increase.
Clinical trials indicate that individuals taking a 2.4 mg dose of semaglutide, in conjunction with other cardiovascular treatments, were 20% less likely to experience serious cardiovascular events compared to those taking a placebo.
Wegovy received UK approval in 2024 for addressing major cardiovascular diseases in individuals facing obesity and related heart issues. However, access was primarily limited to those who could afford it out-of-pocket for those specific conditions.
Over the past year, Novo Nordisk has encountered challenges, including losing market share to U.S. competitor Eli Lilly, which has produced more effective weight loss solutions at approved doses. The company is also under pressure in the U.S. to lower prescription drug prices and faces generic competition in markets like India.
This year, Novo has introduced Wegovy in a pill format as the first oral GLP-1 for weight loss, alongside a higher-dose version aimed at competing with Lilly’s Zepbound, as it seeks to reclaim market presence.
Heart and circulatory diseases are significant contributors to premature death and health issues in England, affecting roughly 1 in 4 adults who experience obesity, according to NHS data.
Wegovy will be utilized for cardiovascular disease treatment, complementing NICE’s previous recommendations for semaglutide to assist in weight management for individuals with obesity or overweight conditions.
“These decisions underline the growing evidence that this class of medications provides benefits beyond just weight loss,” said NICE. Sebnem Avsar Tuna, general manager at Novo Nordisk U.K., expressed that this recommendation is a vital advancement for those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions and obesity.
“It provides clinicians in England with a new treatment option that NICE deems cost-effective, marking it as the first GLP-1 receptor agonist shown to reduce the risks of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular deaths in this high-risk group.”
