Semaglutide 2.4 mg once-weekly evaluated for weight reduction with intensive lifestyle program

The global prevalence of overweight and obesity continues to rise, posing significant public health challenges due to associated comorbidities like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. While intensive lifestyle interventions are foundational, achieving and maintaining substantial weight loss often requires pharmacological support. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, such as semaglutide, have emerged as highly effective agents for weight management by modulating appetite and satiety signals, offering a promising adjunct to behavioral therapy for individuals struggling with chronic weight issues.

This Phase 3, randomized, quadruple-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT03611582) enrolled 611 participants with overweight or obesity. Subjects were randomized to receive either semaglutide 2.4 mg or a matched placebo via subcutaneous (s.c.) injection once weekly. Dosing began at 0.25 mg/week and escalated every 4 weeks through 0.5 mg/week, 1.0 mg/week, 1.7 mg/week, to a target maintenance dose of 2.4 mg/week. The treatment period spanned 68 weeks, during which all participants also engaged in an intensive behavioural therapy program focused on healthy food choices, weight loss strategies, and increased physical activity. The primary endpoint was the change in body weight from baseline to the end of the study.