Healthy Returns: What’s next for Novo Nordisk’s next-generation obesity drug CagriSema after trial miss

February 24, 2026 - 19:44

New clinical trial results for the promising obesity treatment CagriSema have delivered a surprise outcome, with the drug failing to outperform a key rival in a closely watched study. The experimental injection, developed by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, did not achieve greater weight loss than the already-approved drug tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound by competitor Eli Lilly.

The late-stage trial data marks a notable hurdle for CagriSema, which combines the mechanisms of two existing drugs, semaglutide and cagrilintide, and was widely anticipated to be a potent next-generation contender in the lucrative obesity market. While the company reported that CagriSema did demonstrate "significant" weight reduction compared to a placebo, the failure to beat Zepbound's efficacy will likely reshape competitive expectations.

Analysts suggest this outcome may influence Novo Nordisk's strategy for the drug's future development and regulatory pathway. The company emphasized that the trial successfully met its primary goal, which was to show superiority over placebo, and noted that CagriSema's safety profile was consistent with previous studies. The focus now shifts to how Novo Nordisk will position this combination therapy amidst a rapidly advancing field where efficacy benchmarks are continually rising. Further data on the drug's performance on secondary endpoints, such as cardiovascular benefits, are awaited with interest.