Novo Nordisk’s CagriSema Shows Significant Blood Pressure Reduction And Anti-Inflammatory Benefits, Lowering Heart Disease Risk In New ObesityWeek® Analyses

At the ObesityWeek® conference held from November 4–7 in Atlanta, Georgia, Novo Nordisk presented new post hoc analyses from its Phase 3 REDEFINE 1 clinical trial evaluating CagriSema, an investigational injectable combination therapy for adults living with overweight or obesity. The analyses explored CagriSema’s potential impact on key cardiovascular (CV) risk factors such as high blood pressure and systemic inflammation. The findings were also published in the journal Hypertension.

Results from the trial showed that CagriSema treatment led to a reduction in systolic blood pressure by 10.9 mmHg over 68 weeks, compared with 8.8 mmHg in participants treated with semaglutide 2.4 mg and 2.1 mmHg in those receiving placebo. The blood pressure-lowering effect of CagriSema was consistent across participants regardless of their body mass index (BMI). Notably, almost 40% of participants taking blood pressure medication at the start of the trial were able to reduce or discontinue it during the study. While these findings are exploratory, they suggest a meaningful potential for CagriSema to reduce cardiovascular risk, warranting further clinical evaluation.

Martin Holst Lange, Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President of Research & Development at Novo Nordisk, said the results highlight the benefits of combining cagrilintide with semaglutide to improve cardiovascular health alongside weight loss. He noted that people living with obesity often seek treatments that not only support weight reduction but also enhance overall health, emphasizing Novo Nordisk’s commitment to developing therapies that address both goals.

CagriSema also demonstrated a significant reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a biomarker of systemic inflammation. After 68 weeks, hsCRP levels decreased by 68.9% in the CagriSema group, compared to 55.4% with semaglutide 2.4 mg and 16% with placebo. The analysis indicated that this reduction was only partially linked to weight loss, suggesting CagriSema may exert anti-inflammatory effects beyond its weight management benefits.

Commenting on the results, Professor Subodh Verma, Cardiac Surgeon and Canada Research Chair at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, University of Toronto, said the findings were encouraging, particularly regarding improvements in blood pressure and inflammation—two major contributors to cardiovascular disease. He noted that addressing these risk factors while achieving weight loss could lead to substantial overall health benefits.

High blood pressure and chronic inflammation are recognized as key drivers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Data from REDEFINE 1 also indicated that CagriSema lowered the proportion of participants at intermediate-to-high risk of developing ASCVD over the next decade. Novo Nordisk is currently conducting the REDEFINE 3 trial to further evaluate the effects of CagriSema on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with established cardiovascular disease, with or without type 2 diabetes.

Safety findings from REDEFINE 1 were consistent with those observed in other GLP-1 receptor agonists. The overall rate of discontinuation due to side effects was low—6% for CagriSema compared to 3.7% for placebo. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal, including nausea, constipation, and vomiting, which were generally mild to moderate and transient in nature.