Shares in Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk fell by 12 percent today, hitting a four-year low, after clinical trials revealed that its weight loss drug, semaglutide, does not slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease as anticipated. The company had aimed to repurpose semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in its popular weight loss injections Wegovy and Ozempic, as a potential treatment for dementia based on initial encouraging signs.
In the trials involving 3,808 participants aged between 55 and 85, researchers conducted a comparison between those receiving oral semaglutide and those administered a placebo. The results indicated no statistically significant reduction in Alzheimer’s progression among those treated with the drug.
Martin Holst Lange, chief scientific officer and executive vice president of research and development at Novo Nordisk, stated, “Based on the significant unmet need in Alzheimer’s disease as well as a number of indicative data points, we felt we had a responsibility to explore semaglutide’s potential, despite a low likelihood of success.” He emphasized that while the drug did not prove effective for Alzheimer’s, it continues to show benefits for individuals struggling with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and related health issues.
Impact on Alzheimer’s Research Community
The findings have elicited disappointment within the Alzheimer’s research community. Fiona Carragher, chief policy and research officer at Alzheimer’s Society, expressed her dismay at the results, stating, “It’s very disappointing that these eagerly awaited results are not what we hoped for.” She underscored the importance of continued research, noting that “no trial is wasted.” Carragher highlighted that over 130 Alzheimer’s drugs are currently in clinical trials, with approximately 30 in late-stage trials, the final phase before regulatory consideration.
Carragher also pointed out the necessity for improved early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, stating, “The Government must invest in getting more people diagnosed at an earlier stage, as one in three people with dementia don’t currently have a diagnosis.” This, she argues, is crucial to ensuring that future treatments reach those who need them.
Dr. Susan Kohlhaas, executive director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, echoed these sentiments, describing the trial results as a setback for those affected by Alzheimer’s. She remarked, “These trial results are another reminder that Alzheimer’s is driven by several different biological processes. No single approach is likely to be enough.”
Kohlhaas emphasized the need for a multifaceted strategy: “The field now needs to focus on understanding those processes in much greater detail and developing treatments that can be used together to tackle the disease from multiple angles.”
The disappointing outcome of the trials not only affects Novo Nordisk’s stock performance but also highlights the ongoing challenges in Alzheimer’s research. As the search for effective treatments continues, the emphasis on collaboration and innovation within the scientific community remains critical.
