Wegovy highlighted greater weight loss than orforglipron and lower odds of stopping medication due to side effects in a new indirect comparison

Novo Nordisk is set to present their ORION study at the upcoming Obesity Medicine Association’s annual conference in San Diego showing that Wegovy tablets 25 mg was associated with significantly greater mean weight loss than orforglipron 36 mg in a population-adjusted indirect treatment comparison. It is important to note that the FDA recently approved orforglipron under the brand name Foundayo™ at doses ranging up to 17.2 mg. The approved 17.2 mg tablet is the equivalent to the orforglipron 36 mg capsules used in Phase 3 trials, and which served as the study comparator in ORION.

“These studies add to the growing body of evidence supporting the clinical strength of semaglutide and highlight attributes that patients value when choosing an obesity medicine that fits their lifestyle,” said Jamey Millar, executive vice president, US Operations of Novo Nordisk. “Since its approval, we’ve seen strong interest in Wegovy^® pill, from both healthcare professionals and people seeking obesity therapy, underscoring the importance of our continued focus on advancing obesity care through our relentless pursuit of innovation.“

Note that the ORION study was a population-adjusted indirect treatment comparison evaluating weight loss efficacy and tolerability between oral semaglutide 25 mg and orforglipron 36 mg using data from the OASIS 4 and ATTAIN-1 phase 3 clinical trials. A simulated treatment comparison was used to assess percentage change from baseline in body weight.

Additionally, between-trial protocol differences may also influence comparability. While a significant difference was observed for tolerability, the magnitude of these differences should be interpreted with caution due to low adverse event counts.

“People often ask how one medication compares to another when making obesity treatment management decisions,” said Robert F. Kushner, MD, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. “Since there are no head-to-head trials comparing oral semaglutide for obesity to orforglipron, this indirect treatment comparison from the ORION study provides important information that can be used during the shared decision-making process.”

It is important to note that semaglutide tablets 25 mg contains a Boxed Warning for possible thyroid tumors, including cancer and should not be used in those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.

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Lilly's Orforglipron, Wegovy®