Summary of safety profileIn 8 phase 3a trials 4 792 patients were exposed to semaglutide up to 1 mg. The most frequentlyreported adverse reactions in clinical trials were gastrointestinal disorders, including nausea (verycommon), diarrhoea (very common) and vomiting (common). In general, these reactions were mild ormoderate in severity and of short duration.
Tabulated list of adverse reactionsTable 1 lists adverse reactions identified in all phase 3 trials (including the long-term cardiovascularoutcomes trial) and post-marketing reports in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (further describedin section 5.1). The frequencies of the adverse reactions (except diabetic retinopathy complications,see footnote in Table 1) are based on a pool of the phase 3a trials excluding the cardiovascularoutcomes trial (see text below the table for additional details).
The reactions are listed below by system organ class and absolute frequency. Frequencies are definedas: very common: (≥1/10); common: (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon: (≥1/1 000 to <1/100); rare:(≥1/10 000 to <1/1 000); very rare: (<1/10 000) and not known: (cannot be estimated from availabledata). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasingseriousness.
Table 1 Frequency of adverse reactions of semaglutide
MedDRA Very common Common Uncommon Rare Not knownsystem organclass
Immune Hypersensitivityc Anaphy-system lacticdisorders reaction
Metabolism Hypoglycaemiaa Hypoglycaemiaaand nutrition when used with when used withdisorders insulin or other oralsulfonylurea antidiabetics(OAD)
Decreasedappetite
Nervous Dizziness Dysgeusiasystemdisorders
Eye disorders Diabeticretinopathycomplicationsb
Cardiac Increased heartdisorders rate
Gastrointesti- Nausea Vomiting Acute pancreatitis Intestinalnal disorders Diarrhoea Abdominal pain Delayed gastric obstructiond
Abdominal emptyingdistension
ConstipationDyspepsia
Gastritis
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MedDRA Very common Common Uncommon Rare Not knownsystem organclass
Gastro-oesophagealreflux disease
Eructation
Flatulence
Hepatobiliary Cholelithiasisdisorders
Skin and Angioedemadsubcutaneoustissuedisorders
General Fatigue Injection sitedisorders and reactionsadministra-tion siteconditions
Investigations Increased lipase
Increasedamylase
Weightdecreaseda) Hypoglycaemia defined as severe (requiring the assistance of another person) or symptomatic in combinationwith a blood glucose <3.1 mmol/L.b) Diabetic retinopathy complications is a composite of: retinal photocoagulation, treatment with intravitrealagents, vitreous haemorrhage, diabetes-related blindness (uncommon). Frequency based on cardiovascularoutcomes trial.c) Grouped term covering also adverse events related to hypersensitivity such as rash and urticaria.d) From post-marketing reports.
2-year cardiovascular outcomes and safety trialIn cardiovascular high risk population the adverse reaction profile was similar to that seen in the otherphase 3a trials (described in section 5.1).
Description of selected adverse reactionsHypoglycaemiaNo episodes of severe hypoglycaemia were observed when semaglutide was used as monotherapy.
Severe hypoglycaemia was primarily observed when semaglutide was used with a sulfonylurea (1.2%of subjects, 0.03 events/patient year) or insulin (1.5% of subjects, 0.02 events/patient year). Fewepisodes (0.1% of subjects, 0.001 events/patient year) were observed with semaglutide in combinationwith oral antidiabetics other than sulfonylureas.
American Diabetes Association (ADA) classified hypoglycaemia occurred in 11.3%(0.3 events/patient year) of patients when semaglutide 1 mg was added to SGLT2 inhibitor in
SUSTAIN 9 compared to 2.0% (0.04 events/patient year) of placebo-treated patients. Severehypoglycaemia was reported in 0.7% (0.01 events/patient year) and 0% of patients, respectively.
In a 40-week phase 3b trial in patients receiving semaglutide 1 mg and 2 mg, the majority of thehypoglycaemic episodes (45 out of 49 episodes) occurred when semaglutide was used in combinationwith sulfonylurea or insulin. Overall, there was no increased risk of hypoglycaemia with semaglutide2 mg.
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Gastrointestinal adverse reactionsNausea occurred in 17% and 19.9% of patients when treated with semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg,respectively, diarrhoea in 12.2% and 13.3% and vomiting in 6.4% and 8.4%. Most events were mild tomoderate in severity and of short duration. The events led to treatment discontinuation in 3.9% and 5%of patients. The events were most frequently reported during the first months on treatment.
Patients with low body weight may experience more gastrointestinal side effects when treated withsemaglutide.
In a 40-week phase 3b trial in patients receiving semaglutide 1 mg and 2 mg, nausea occurred insimilar proportions of patients when treated with semaglutide 1 mg and 2 mg, respectively. Diarrhoeaand vomiting occurred in higher proportions of patients when treated with semaglutide 2 mg comparedto semaglutide 1 mg. The gastrointestinal adverse reactions led to treatment discontinuation in similarproportions in the semaglutide 1 mg and 2 mg treatment groups.
In concomitant use with an SGLT2 inhibitor in SUSTAIN 9, constipation and gastro-oesophagealreflux disease occurred in 6.7% and 4% respectively of patients treated with semaglutide 1 mgcompared to no events for placebo-treated patients. The prevalence of these events did not decreaseover time.
Acute pancreatitisThe frequency of adjudication-confirmed acute pancreatitis reported in phase 3a clinical trials was0.3% for semaglutide and 0.2% for the comparator, respectively. In the 2-year cardiovascularoutcomes trial the frequency of acute pancreatitis confirmed by adjudication was 0.5% for semaglutideand 0.6% for placebo (see section 4.4).
Diabetic retinopathy complicationsA 2-year clinical trial investigated 3 297 patients with type 2 diabetes, with high cardiovascular risk,long duration of diabetes and poorly controlled blood glucose. In this trial, adjudicated events ofdiabetic retinopathy complications occurred in more patients treated with semaglutide (3%) comparedto placebo (1.8%). This was observed in insulin-treated patients with known diabetic retinopathy. Thetreatment difference appeared early and persisted throughout the trial. Systematic evaluation ofdiabetic retinopathy complication was only performed in the cardiovascular outcomes trial. In clinicaltrials up to 1 year involving 4 807 patients with type 2 diabetes, adverse events related to diabeticretinopathy were reported in similar proportions of subjects treated with semaglutide (1.7%) andcomparators (2.0%).
Discontinuation due to an adverse eventThe incidence of discontinuation of treatment due to adverse events was 6.1% and 8.7% for patientstreated with semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg, respectively, versus 1.5% for placebo. The most frequentadverse events leading to discontinuation were gastrointestinal.
Injection site reactionsInjection site reactions (e.g. injection site rash, erythema) have been reported by 0.6% and 0.5% ofpatients receiving semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg, respectively. These reactions have usually been mild.
ImmunogenicityConsistent with the potentially immunogenic properties of medicinal products containing proteins orpeptides, patients may develop antibodies following treatment with semaglutide. The proportion ofpatients tested positive for anti-semaglutide antibodies at any time point post-baseline was low (1−3%)and no patients had anti-semaglutide neutralising antibodies or anti-semaglutide antibodies withendogenous GLP-1 neutralising effect at end-of-trial.
Heart rate increaseIncreased heart rate has been observed with GLP-1 receptor agonists. In the phase 3a trials, meanincreases of 1 to 6 beats per minute (bpm) from a baseline of 72 to 76 bpm were observed in subjects
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treated with Ozempic. In a long-term trial in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors, 16% of
Ozempic-treated subjects had an increase in heart rate of >10 bpm compared to 11% of subjects onplacebo after 2 years of treatment.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactionsReporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. Itallows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcareprofessionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting systemlisted in Appendix V.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Drugs used in diabetes, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues, ATCcode: A10BJ06
Mechanism of actionSemaglutide is a GLP-1 analogue with 94% sequence homology to human GLP-1. Semaglutide acts asa GLP-1 receptor agonist that selectively binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor, the target fornative GLP-1.
GLP-1 is a physiological hormone that has multiple actions in glucose and appetite regulation, in thecardiovascular system and in the kidneys. The glucose and appetite effects are specifically mediatedvia GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas and the brain.
Semaglutide reduces blood glucose in a glucose dependent manner by stimulating insulin secretionand lowering glucagon secretion when blood glucose is high. The mechanism of blood glucoselowering also involves a minor delay in gastric emptying in the early postprandial phase. Duringhypoglycaemia, semaglutide diminishes insulin secretion and does not impair glucagon secretion.
Semaglutide reduces body weight and body fat mass through lowered energy intake, involving anoverall reduced appetite. In addition, semaglutide reduces the preference for high fat foods.
GLP-1 receptors are also expressed in the heart, vasculature, immune system and kidneys. Themechanism of action of semaglutide is likely multifactorial. Indirect effects are indicated by thebeneficial effect of semaglutide on plasma lipids, lowered systolic blood pressure and reducedinflammation in clinical studies but direct effects are likely also involved. In animal studies,semaglutide attenuates the development of atherosclerosis by preventing aortic plaque progression andreducing inflammation in the plaque.
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Clinical data showed that semaglutide lowered albuminuria in patients with kidney disease.
Pharmacodynamic effectsAll pharmacodynamic evaluations were performed after 12 weeks of treatment (including doseescalation) at steady state with semaglutide 1 mg once weekly.
Fasting and postprandial glucoseSemaglutide reduces fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations. In patients with type 2 diabetes,treatment with semaglutide 1 mg resulted in reductions in glucose in terms of absolute change frombaseline (mmol/L) and relative reduction compared to placebo (%) for fasting glucose (1.6 mmol/L;22% reduction), 2 hour postprandial glucose (4.1 mmol/L; 37% reduction), mean 24 hour glucoseconcentration (1.7 mmol/L; 22% reduction) and postprandial glucose excursions over 3 meals(0.6-1.1 mmol/L) compared with placebo. Semaglutide lowered fasting glucose after the first dose.
Beta-cell function and insulin secretionSemaglutide improves beta-cell function. Compared to placebo, semaglutide improved first- andsecond-phase insulin response with a 3- and 2-fold increase, respectively, and increased maximalbeta-cell secretory capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition, semaglutide treatmentincreased fasting insulin concentrations compared to placebo.
Glucagon secretionSemaglutide lowers the fasting and postprandial glucagon concentrations. In patients with type 2diabetes, semaglutide resulted in the following relative reductions in glucagon compared to placebo:fasting glucagon (8-21%), postprandial glucagon response (14-15%) and mean 24 hour glucagonconcentration (12%).
Glucose dependent insulin and glucagon secretionSemaglutide lowered high blood glucose concentrations by stimulating insulin secretion and loweringglucagon secretion in a glucose dependent manner. With semaglutide, the insulin secretion rate inpatients with type 2 diabetes was comparable to that of healthy subjects.
During induced hypoglycaemia, semaglutide compared to placebo did not alter the counter regulatoryresponses of increased glucagon and did not impair the decrease of C-peptide in patients with type2-diabetes.
Gastric emptyingSemaglutide caused a minor delay of early postprandial gastric emptying, thereby reducing the rate atwhich glucose appears in the circulation postprandially.
Appetite, energy intake and food choiceSemaglutide compared to placebo lowered the energy intake of 3 consecutive ad libitum meals by18-35%. This was supported by a semaglutide-induced suppression of appetite in the fasting state aswell as postprandially, improved control of eating, less food cravings and a relative lower preferencefor high fat food.
Fasting and postprandial lipidsSemaglutide compared to placebo lowered fasting triglyceride and very low density lipoproteins(VLDL) cholesterol concentrations by 12% and 21%, respectively. The postprandial triglyceride and
VLDL cholesterol response to a high fat meal was reduced by >40%.
Cardiac electrophysiology (QTc)The effect of semaglutide on cardiac repolarization was tested in a thorough QTc trial. Semaglutidedid not prolong QTc intervals at dose levels up to 1.5 mg at steady state.
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Clinical efficacy and safetyImprovement of glycaemic control, reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, weight lossand risk reduction of chronic kidney disease progression are integral parts of the treatment of type 2diabetes.
The efficacy and safety of semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg once weekly were evaluated in sixrandomised controlled phase 3a trials that included 7 215 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(4 107 treated with semaglutide). Five trials (SUSTAIN 1-5) had the glycaemic efficacy assessment asthe primary objective, while one trial (SUSTAIN 6) had cardiovascular outcome as the primaryobjective.
The efficacy and safety of semaglutide 2 mg once weekly was evaluated in a phase 3b trial (SUSTAIN
FORTE) including 961 patients.
In addition, a phase 3b trial (SUSTAIN 7) including 1 201 patients was conducted to compare theefficacy and safety of semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg once weekly to dulaglutide 0.75 mg and 1.5 mgonce weekly, respectively. A phase 3b trial (SUSTAIN 9), was conducted to investigate the efficacyand safety of semaglutide as add-on to SGLT2 inhibitor treatment.
Treatment with semaglutide demonstrated sustained, statistically superior and clinically meaningfulreductions in HbA1c and body weight for up to 2 years compared to placebo and active controltreatment (sitagliptin, insulin glargine, exenatide ER and dulaglutide).
The efficacy of semaglutide was not impacted by age, gender, race, ethnicity, BMI at baseline, bodyweight (kg) at baseline, diabetes duration and level of renal function impairment.
Results target the on-treatment period in all randomised subjects (analyses based on mixed models forrepeated measurements or multiple imputation).
In addition, a phase 3b trial (SUSTAIN 11), was conducted to investigate the effect of semaglutideversus insulin aspart, both as add-on to metformin and optimised insulin glargine (U100).
A phase 3b kidney outcomes trials (FLOW) including 3 533 patients was conducted to investigate theeffects of semaglutide 1 mg once weekly versus placebo on the progression of kidney impairment inpatients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Detailed information is provided below.
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SUSTAIN 1 - Monotherapy
In a 30-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 388 patients inadequately controlled with diet andexercise, were randomised to semaglutide 0.5 mg or semaglutide 1 mg once weekly or placebo.
Table 2 SUSTAIN 1: Results at week 30
Semaglutide Semaglutide Placebo0.5 mg 1 mg
Intent-to-Treat (ITT) Population (N) 128 130 129
HbA1c (%)
Baseline (mean) 8.1 8.1 8.0
Change from baseline at week 30 -1.5 -1.6 0
Difference from placebo [95% -1.4 [-1.7, -1.1]a -1.5 [-1.8, -1.2]a -
CI]
Patients (%) achieving HbA1c <7% 74 72 25
FPG (mmol/L)
Baseline (mean) 9.7 9.9 9.7
Change from baseline at week 30 -2.5 -2.3 -0.6
Body weight (kg)
Baseline (mean) 89.8 96.9 89.1
Change from baseline at week 30 -3.7 -4.5 -1.0
Difference from placebo [95% -2.7 [-3.9, -1.6]a -3.6 [-4.7, -2.4]a -
CI]ap <0.0001 (2-sided) for superiority
SUSTAIN 2 - Semaglutide vs. sitagliptin both in combination with 1-2 oral antidiabetic medicinalproducts (metformin and/or thiazolidinediones)
In a 56-week active-controlled double-blind trial, 1 231 patients were randomised to semaglutide0.5 mg once weekly, semaglutide 1 mg once weekly or sitagliptin 100 mg once daily, all incombination with metformin (94%) and/or thiazolidinediones (6%).
Table 3 SUSTAIN 2: Results at week 56
Semaglutide Semaglutide Sitagliptin0.5 mg 1 mg 100 mg
Intent-to-Treat (ITT) Population (N) 409 409 407
HbA1c (%)
Baseline (mean) 8.0 8.0 8.2
Change from baseline at week 56 -1.3 -1.6 -0.5
Difference from sitagliptin [95% -0.8 [-0.9, -0.6]a -1.1 [-1.2, -0.9]a -
CI]
Patients (%) achieving HbA1c <7% 69 78 36
FPG (mmol/L)
Baseline (mean) 9.3 9.3 9.6
Change from baseline at week 56 -2.1 -2.6 -1.1
Body weight (kg)
Baseline (mean) 89.9 89.2 89.3
Change from baseline at week 56 -4.3 -6.1 -1.9
Difference from sitagliptin [95% -2.3 [-3.1, -1.6]a -4.2 [-4.9, -3.5]a -
CI]ap <0.0001 (2-sided) for superiority
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Time since randomisation (week) Time since randomisation (week)
Semaglutide 0.5 mg Semaglutide 1 mg Semaglutide 0.5 mg Semaglutide 1 mg
Sitagliptin Sitagliptin
Figure 1 Mean change in HbA1c (%) and body weight (kg) from baseline to week 56
SUSTAIN 7 - Semaglutide vs. dulaglutide both in combination with metformin
In a 40-week, open-label trial, 1 201 patients on metformin were randomised 1:1:1:1 to once weeklysemaglutide 0.5 mg, dulaglutide 0.75 mg, semaglutide 1 mg or dulaglutide 1.5 mg, respectively .
The trial compared 0.5 mg of semaglutide to 0.75 mg of dulaglutide and 1 mg of semaglutide to1.5 mg of dulaglutide.
Gastrointestinal disorders were the most frequent adverse events, and occurred in similar proportion ofpatients receiving semaglutide 0.5 mg (129 patients [43%]), semaglutide 1 mg (133 [44%]), anddulaglutide 1.5 mg (143 [48%]); fewer patients had gastrointestinal disorders with dulaglutide 0.75 mg(100 [33%]).
At week 40, the increase in pulse rate for semaglutide (0.5 mg and 1 mg) and dulaglutide (0.75 mg and1.5 mg) was 2.4, 4.0, and 1.6, 2.1, beats/min, respectively.
Table 4 SUSTAIN 7: Results at week 40
Semaglutide Semaglutide Dulaglutide Dulaglutide0.5 mg 1 mg 0.75 mg 1.5 mg
Intent-to-Treat (ITT) 301 300 299 299
Population(N)
HbA1c (%)
Baseline (mean) 8.3 8.2 8.2 8.2
Change from baseline at week 40 -1.5 -1.8 -1.1 -1.4
Difference from dulaglutide -0.4b -0.4c - -[95% CI] [-0.6, -0.2]a [-0.6, -0.3]a
Patients (%) achieving HbA1c <7% 68 79 52 67
FPG (mmol/L)
Baseline (mean) 9.8 9.8 9.7 9.6
Change from baseline at week 40 -2.2 -2.8 -1.9 -2.2
Body weight (kg)
Baseline (mean) 96.4 95.5 95.6 93.4
Change from baseline at week 40 -4.6 -6.5 -2.3 -3.0
Difference from dulaglutide -2.3b -3.6c - -[95% CI] [-3.0, -1.5]a [-4.3, -2.8]aap <0.0001 (2-sided) for superiorityb semaglutide 0.5 mg vs dulaglutide 0.75 mgc semaglutide 1 mg vs dulaglutide 1.5 mg
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HbA1c (%)
Change from baseline
Body weight (kg)
Change from baseline... . . .
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Time since randomisation (week) Time since randomisation (week)
Semaglutide 0.5 mg Semaglutide 1 mg Semaglutide 0.5 mg Semaglutide 1 mg
Dulaglutide 0.75 mg Dulaglutide 1.5 mg Dulaglutide 0.75 mg Dulaglutide 1.5 mg
Figure 2 Mean change in HbA1c (%) and body weight (kg) from baseline to week 40
SUSTAIN 3 - Semaglutide vs. exenatide ER both in combination with metformin or metformin withsulfonylurea
In a 56-week open-label trial, 813 patients on metformin alone (49%), metformin with sulfonylurea(45%) or other (6%) were randomised to semaglutide 1 mg or exenatide ER 2 mg once weekly.
Table 5 SUSTAIN 3: Results at week 56
Semaglutide Exenatide ER1 mg 2 mg
Intent-to-Treat (ITT) Population (N) 404 405
HbA1c (%)
Baseline (mean) 8.4 8.3
Change from baseline at week 56 -1.5 -0.9
Difference from exenatide [95% CI] -0.6 [-0.8, -0.4]a -
Patients (%) achieving HbA1c <7% 67 40
FPG (mmol/L)
Baseline (mean) 10.6 10.4
Change from baseline at week 56 -2.8 -2.0
Body weight (kg)
Baseline (mean) 96.2 95.4
Change from baseline at week 56 -5.6 -1.9
Difference from exenatide [95% CI] -3.8 [-4.6, -3.0]a -ap <0.0001 (2-sided) for superiority
SUSTAIN 4 - Semaglutide vs. insulin glargine both in combination with 1-2 oral antidiabeticmedicinal products (metformin or metformin and sulfonylurea)
In a 30-week open-label comparator trial 1 089 patients were randomised to semaglutide 0.5 mg onceweekly, semaglutide 1 mg once weekly, or insulin glargine once-daily on a background of metformin(48%) or metformin and sulfonylurea (51%).
Table 6 SUSTAIN 4: Results at week 30
Semaglutide Semaglutide Insulin0.5 mg 1 mg Glargine
Intent-to-Treat (ITT) Population (N) 362 360 360
HbA1c (%)
Baseline (mean) 8.1 8.2 8.1
Change from baseline at week 30 -1.2 -1.6 -0.8
Difference from insulin glargine [95% CI] -0.4 [-0.5, -0.2]a -0.8 [-1.0, -0.7]a -
Patients (%) achieving HbA1c <7% 57 73 38
FPG (mmol/L)
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HbA1c (%)
Change from baseline
Body weight (kg)
Change from baseline
Semaglutide Semaglutide Insulin0.5 mg 1 mg Glargine
Baseline (mean) 9.6 9.9 9.7
Change from baseline at week 30 -2.0 -2.7 -2.1
Body weight (kg)
Baseline (mean) 93.7 94.0 92.6
Change from baseline at week 30 -3.5 -5.2 +1.2
Difference from insulin glargine [95% CI] -4.6 [-5.3, -4.0]a -6.34 [-7.0, -5.7]a -ap <0.0001 (2-sided) for superiority
SUSTAIN 5 - Semaglutide vs. placebo both in combination with basal insulin
In a 30-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 397 patients inadequately controlled with basalinsulin with or without metformin were randomised to semaglutide 0.5 mg once weekly, semaglutide1 mg once weekly or placebo.
Table 7 SUSTAIN 5: Results at week 30
Semaglutide Semaglutide Placebo0.5 mg 1 mg
Intent-to-Treat (ITT) Population (N) 132 131 133
HbA1c (%)
Baseline (mean) 8.4 8.3 8.4
Change from baseline at week 30 -1.4 -1.8 -0.1
Difference from placebo [95% -1.4 [-1.6, -1.1]a -1.8 [-2.0, -1.5]a -
CI]
Patients (%) achieving HbA1c <7% 61 79 11
FPG (mmol/L)
Baseline (mean) 8.9 8.5 8.6
Change from baseline at week 30 -1.6 -2.4 -0.5
Body weight (kg)
Baseline (mean) 92.7 92.5 89.9
Change from baseline at week 30 -3.7 -6.4 -1.4
Difference from placebo [95% -2.3 [-3.3, -1.3]a -5.1 [-6.1, -4.0]a -
CI]ap <0.0001 (2-sided) for superiority
SUSTAIN FORTE - Semaglutide 2 mg vs. semaglutide 1 mg
In a 40-week double-blind trial, 961 patients inadequately controlled with metformin with or withoutsulfonylurea were randomised to semaglutide 2 mg once weekly or semaglutide 1 mg once weekly.
Treatment with semaglutide 2 mg resulted in a statistically superior reduction in HbA1c after 40 weeksof treatment compared to semaglutide 1 mg.
Table 8 SUSTAIN FORTE: Results at week 40
Semaglutide Semaglutide1 mg 2 mg
Intent-to-Treat (ITT) Population (N) 481 480
HbA1c (%)
Baseline (mean) 8.8 8.9
Change from baseline at week 40 -1.9 -2.2
Difference from semaglutide 1 mg - -0.2 [-0.4, -0.1]a[95% CI]
Patients (%) achieving HbA1c <7% 58 68
FPG (mmol/L)
Baseline (mean) 10.9 10.7
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Semaglutide Semaglutide1 mg 2 mg
Change from baseline at week 40 -3.1 -3.4
Body weight (kg)
Baseline (mean) 98.6 100.1
Change from baseline at week 40 -6.0 -6.9
Difference from semaglutide 1 mg -0.9 [-1.7, -0.2]b[95% CI]ap<0.001 (2-sided) for superioritybp<0.05 (2-sided) for superiority
SUSTAIN 9 - Semaglutide vs. placebo as add-on to SGLT2 inhibitor ± metformin or sulfonylurea
In a 30-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 302 patients inadequately controlled with SGLT2inhibitor with or without metformin or sulfonylurea were randomised to semaglutide 1 mg onceweekly or placebo.
Table 9 SUSTAIN 9: Results at week 30
Semaglutide Placebo1 mg
Intent-to-Treat (ITT) Population (N) 151 151
HbA1c (%)
Baseline (mean) 8.0 8.1
Change from baseline at week 30 -1.5 -0.1
Difference from placebo [95% CI] -1.4 [-1.6, -1.2]a -
Patients (%) achieving HbA1c <7% 78.7 18.7
FPG (mmol/L)
Baseline (mean) 9.1 8.9
Change from baseline at week 30 -2.2 0.0
Body weight (kg)
Baseline (mean) 89.6 93.8
Change from baseline at week 30 -4.7 -0.9
Difference from placebo [95% CI] -3.8 [-4.7, -2.9]a -ap < 0.0001 (2-sided) for superiority, adjusted regarding multiplicity based on hierarchical testing of the HbA1cvalue and body weight
SUSTAIN 11 - Semaglutide vs. insulin aspart as add-on to insulin glargine + metformin
In a 52-week open-label trial, 1748 subjects with inadequately controlled T2D after a 12-week run-inperiod on insulin glargine and metformin were randomised to 1:1 to receive either semaglutide once-weekly (0.5 mg or 1.0 mg) or insulin aspart three times daily. The included population had a meandiabetes duration of 13.4 years and a mean HbA1c of 8.6%, with a target HbA1c of 6.5-7.5%.
Treatment with semaglutide resulted in reduction in HbA1c at week 52 (-1.5% for semaglutide vs. -1.2% for insulin aspart).
The number of severe hypoglycaemic episodes in both treatment arms was low (4 episodes withsemaglutide vs. 7 episodes with insulin aspart).
Mean baseline body weight decreased with semaglutide (-4.1 kg) and increased with insulin aspart(+2.8 kg) and the estimated treatment difference was -6.99 kg (95%CI -7.41 to -6.57) at week 52.
Combination with sulfonylurea monotherapyIn SUSTAIN 6 (see subsection “Cardiovascular disease”) 123 patients were on sulfonylureamonotherapy at baseline. HbA1c at baseline was 8.2%, 8.4% and 8.4% for semaglutide 0.5 mg,
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semaglutide 1 mg, and placebo, respectively. At week 30, the change in HbA1c was -1.6%, -1.5% and0.1% for semaglutide 0.5 mg, semaglutide 1 mg, and placebo, respectively.
Combination with premix insulin ± 1-2 OADs
In SUSTAIN 6 (see subsection “Cardiovascular disease”) 867 patients were on premix insulin (with orwithout OAD(s)) at baseline. HbA1c at baseline was 8.8%, 8.9% and 8.9% for semaglutide 0.5 mg,semaglutide 1 mg, and placebo, respectively. At week 30, the change in HbA1c was -1.3%, -1.8% and -0.4% for semaglutide 0.5 mg, semaglutide 1 mg, and placebo, respectively.
Cardiovascular diseaseIn a 104-week double-blind trial (SUSTAIN 6), 3 297 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at highcardiovascular risk were randomised to either semaglutide 0.5 mg once weekly, semaglutide 1 mgonce weekly or corresponding placebo in addition to standard-of-care hereafter followed for 2 years.
In total 98% of the patients completed the trial and the vital status was known at the end of the trial for99.6% of the patients.
The trial population was distributed by age as: 1 598 patients (48.5%) ≥65 years, 321 (9.7%)≥75 years, and 20 (0.6%) ≥85 years. There were 2 358 patients with normal or mild renal impairment,832 with moderate and 107 with severe or end stage renal impairment. There were 61% males, themean age was 65 years and mean BMI was 33 kg/m2. The mean duration of diabetes was 13.9 years.
The primary endpoint was time from randomisation to first occurrence of a major adversecardiovascular event (MACE): cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatalstroke.
The total number of primary component MACE endpoints was 254, including 108 (6.6%) withsemaglutide and 146 (8.9%) with placebo. See figure 4 for results on primary and secondarycardiovascular endpoints. Treatment with semaglutide resulted in a 26% risk reduction in the primarycomposite outcome of death from cardiovascular causes, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatalstroke. The total numbers of cardiovascular deaths, non-fatal myocardial infarctions and non-fatalstrokes were 90, 111, and 71, respectively, including 44 (2.7%), 47 (2.9%), and 27 (1.6%),respectively, with semaglutide (figure 4). The risk reduction in the primary composite outcome wasmainly driven by decreases in the rate of non-fatal stroke (39%) and non-fatal myocardial infarction(26%) (figure 3).
HR: 0.7495% CI 0.58: 0.95
Number of subjects at risk
Semaglutide
Placebo
Time from randomisation (week)
Semaglutide Placebo
VV-LAB-123016 1.0 .
Patients with event (%)
Figure 3 Kaplan-Meier plot of time to first occurrence of the composite outcome: cardiovasculardeath, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke (SUSTAIN 6)
Hazard Ratio Semaglutide Placebo(95% CI) N (%) N (%)
FAS 1648 1649(100) (100)0.74
Primary endpoint - MACE 108 146(0.58- 0.95) (6.6) (8.9)
Components of MACE
Cardiovascular death 0.98 44(0.65-1.48) (2.7) (2.8)0.61 27 44
Non-fatal stroke (0.38-0.99) (1.6) (2.7)
Non-fatal myocardial infarction 0.74 47 64(0.51-1.08) (2.9) (3.9)
Other secondary endpoints1.05 62 60
All cause death (0.74-1.50) (3.8) (3.6)0.2 1 5
Favours Semaglutide Favours placebo
Figure 4 Forest plot: analyses of time to first occurrence of the composite outcome, itscomponents and all cause death (SUSTAIN 6)
There were 158 events of new or worsening nephropathy. The hazard ratio [95% CI] for time tonephropathy (new onset of persistent macroalbuminuria, persistent doubling of serum creatinine, needfor continuous renal replacement therapy and death due to renal disease) was 0.64 [0.46; 0.88] drivenby new onset of persistent macroalbuminuria.
Kidney outcomes
In a double-blind kidney outcomes trial (FLOW), 3 533 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus andchronic kidney disease with eGFR of 50-75 ml/min/1.73 m2 and UACR >300 and <5000 mg/g, oreGFR 25-<50 ml/min/1.73 m2 and UACR of >100 and <5000 mg/g were randomised to eithersemaglutide 1 mg once weekly or corresponding placebo in addition to standard-of-care.
The study was stopped early for efficacy following the planned interim analysis based on arecommendation by the independent Data Monitoring Committee. The median follow-up time was40.9 months.
The mean age of the population was 66.6 years and 69.7% were male. The mean baseline BMI was32.0 kg/m2. The mean duration of diabetes at baseline was 17.4 years and mean baseline HbA1c was7.8% (61.5 mmol/mol). The mean baseline eGFR was 47 ml/min/1.73 m2 and the median UACR was568 mg/g. At baseline, about 95% of the patients were treated with renin-angiotensin-aldosteronesystem inhibitors and 16% with SGLT2 inhibitors.
Semaglutide was superior to placebo, in addition to standard-of-care, in preventing the primarycomposite outcome of persistent ≥50% reduction in eGFR, onset of persistent eGFR<15 ml/min/1.73 m2, initiation of chronic kidney replacement therapy, kidney death or cardiovasculardeath with a hazard ratio of 0.76 [0.66; 0.88]95% CI, corresponding to a relative risk reduction in kidneydisease progression of 24% (see Figure 5). The individual components of the primary compositecontributed to the treatment effect but there were few kidney deaths (see Figure 6).
Semaglutide showed superiority over placebo, in addition to standard-of-care, in reducing the yearlyrate of change in eGFR with an estimated treatment difference of 1.16 (ml/min/1.73m2/year) [0.86;1.47]95% CI. Treatment with semaglutide improved overall survival with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality (see Figure 6).
VV-LAB-123016 1.0 .
HR: 0.7695% CI [0.66 - 0.88]
Number of subjects at risk
Semaglutide
Placebo
Time from randomisation (months)
Semaglutide Placebo
Figure 5 Cumulative incidence function of time to first occurrence of the primary compositeoutcome: onset of persistent ≥50% reduction in eGFR, onset of persistent eGFR<15 ml/min/1.73 m2, initiation of chronic kidney replacement therapy, kidney death orcardiovascular death (FLOW)
Number of events/analysed subjects
HR [95% CI] (Sema 1.0 mg; Placebo)
Primary endpoint 0.76 [0.66; 0.88] 331/1767; 410/1766
Persistent >=50% reduction in eGFR 0.73 [0.59; 0.89] 165/1766; 213/1766
Persistent eGFR<15 0.80 [0.61; 1.06] 92/1767; 110/1766
Renal-replacement therapy 0.84 [0.63; 1.12] 87/1767; 100/1766
Renal death 0.97 [0.27; 3.49] 5/1767; 5/1766
CV death 0.71 [0.56; 0.89] 123/1767; 169/1766
MACE 0.82 [0.68; 0.98] 212/1767; 254/1766
Non-fatal MI 0.80 [0.55; 1.15] 52/1767; 64/1766
Non-fatal stroke 1.22 [0.84; 1.77] 63/1767; 51/1766
CV death 0.71 [0.56; 0.89] 123/1767; 169/1766
All-cause death 0.80 [0.67; 0.95] 227/1767; 279/1766
Favors Favors
Sema 1.0 mg Placebo0.2 0.5 1 2 5
Figure 6 Forest plot: analyses of time to first occurrence of the primary composite outcome andits components, first occurrence of MACE and its components and all cause death (FLOW)
Body weightAfter one year of treatment, a weight loss of ≥5% and ≥10% was achieved for more subjects withsemaglutide 0.5 mg (46% and 13%) and 1 mg (52-62% and 21-24%) compared with the activecomparators sitagliptin (18% and 3%) and exenatide ER (17% and 4%).
In the 40-week trial versus dulaglutide a weight loss of ≥5% and ≥10% was achieved for more subjectswith semaglutide 0.5 mg (44% and 14%) compared with dulaglutide 0.75 mg (23% and 3%) andsemaglutide 1 mg (up to 63% and 27%) compared with dulaglutide 1.5 mg (30% and 8%).
VV-LAB-123016 1.0 .
Patients with event (%)
A significant and sustained reduction in body weight from baseline to week 104 was observed withsemaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg vs placebo 0.5 mg and 1 mg, in addition to standard-of-care (-3.6 kgand -4.9 kg vs -0.7 kg and -0.5 kg , respectively) in SUSTAIN 6.
In the kidney outcomes trial FLOW, treatment with semaglutide 1 mg resulted in a sustained reductionin body weight at week 104 vs placebo, in addition to standard-of-care (-5.6 kg for semaglutideand -1.4 kg for placebo).
Blood pressureSignificant reductions in mean systolic blood pressure were observed when semaglutide 0.5 mg(3.5-5.1 mmHg) and 1 mg (5.4-7.3 mmHg) were used in combination with oral antidiabetic medicinalproducts or basal insulin. For diastolic blood pressure, there were no significant differences betweensemaglutide and comparators. The observed reductions in systolic blood pressure for semaglutide2 mg and 1 mg at week 40 were 5.3 mmHg and 4.5 mmHg, respectively.
Paediatric populationThe European Medicines Agency has deferred the obligation to submit the results of studies with
Ozempic in one or more subsets of the paediatric population in type 2 diabetes (see section 4.2 forinformation on paediatric use).