Cagrilintide

BACKGROUND: Basal insulin treatment for type 2 diabetes often results in inadequate glycaemic control and is associated with weight gain and increased risk of hypoglycaemia. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of a once per week combination of cagrilintide with semaglutide (CagriSema) versus placebo as an add-on to basal insulin in individuals with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This double-blind, parallel-group, randomised, controlled, phase 3a study (REIMAGINE 3) was done at 46 centres (university hospitals, health-care centres, research centres, and other clinical trial sites) in six countries (the USA, China, Japan, Serbia, Slovakia, and South Africa). Adults with type 2 diabetes (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] 7·0-10·5%) receiving stable once per day basal insulin with or without metformin were randomly assigned (2:2:1:1) to once per week subcutaneous cagrilintide 2·4 mg plus semaglutide 2·4 mg (hereafter cagrilintide-semaglutide [2·4 mg each]) or cagrilintide 1·0 mg plus semaglutide 1·0 mg (hereafter cagrilintide-semaglutide [1·0 mg each]) or dose-matched placebo (2·4 mg plus 2·4 mg or 1·0 mg plus 1·0 mg) for 40 weeks. Randomisation was stratified by HbA1c of less than 8·5% at screening (yes or no) and country (Japan; yes or no). Participants, care providers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked within each dose level to treatment allocation, with active treatments visually identical to placebo. The primary endpoint was mean HbA1c change (percentage points) from baseline to week 40 in all participants randomly assigned to treatment; secondary endpoints included change in bodyweight and safety, including hypoglycaemia. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06323161) and is complete. FINDINGS: Between March 26 and Nov 29, 2024, we screened 340 individuals and 274 were included and randomly assigned to cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each; n=90), cagrilintide-semaglutide (1·0 mg each; n=93), or placebo (pooled; n=91). Mean baseline HbA1c was 8·8% (SD 1·0), 159 (58%) participants were male, and 115 (42%) were female. Mean HbA1c reductions were significantly greater with cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each -2·33% [SE 0·08] and 1·0 mg each -2·10% [0·08]) versus placebo (-0·66% [0·11]) at week 40, using the efficacy estimand (estimated treatment difference for cagrilintide-semaglutide [2·4 mg each] vs placebo -1·68 percentage points [95% CI -1·95 to -1·41], p<0·0001; for cagrilintide-semaglutide [1·0 mg each] vs placebo -1·44 percentage points [95% CI -1·71 to -1·17], p<0·0001). Cagrilintide-semaglutide provided bodyweight reductions of 10-12%. Adverse events were reported by 72 (80%) of 90 participants receiving cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each), 66 (71%) of 93 receiving cagrilintide-semaglutide (1·0 mg each), and 65 (71%) of 91 receiving placebo, and were mostly mild or moderate gastrointestinal disorders. No severe hypoglycaemia was reported. There was one death in the cagrilintide-semaglutide (1·0 mg each) group not related to treatment (due to malignancy). INTERPRETATION: Cagrilintide-semaglutide at doses of 2·4 mg each and 1·0 mg each met the primary endpoint, with statistically significant and clinically relevant HbA1c reductions versus placebo when added to basal insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. These reductions were accompanied by robust bodyweight reduction and no additional risk of hypoglycaemia. The safety profile was consistent with that of the GLP-1 receptor agonist class and previous safety data for cagrilintide. Findings support the use of cagrilintide-semaglutide as an add-on to once per day basal insulin to significantly improve glycaemic control. FUNDING: Novo Nordisk.

BACKGROUND: Semaglutide at a dose of 2.4 mg has established weight-loss and cardiovascular benefits, and cagrilintide at a dose of 2.4 mg has shown promising results in early-phase trials; the efficacy of the combination (known as CagriSema) on weight loss in persons with either overweight and coexisting conditions or obesity is unknown. METHODS: In a phase 3a, 68-week, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled trial, we enrolled adults without diabetes who had a body-mass index (BMI; the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) of 30 or higher or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one obesity-related complication. Participants were randomly assigned in a ratio of 21:3:3:7 to receive the combination of semaglutide at a dose of 2.4 mg and cagrilintide at a dose of 2.4 mg, semaglutide alone at a dose of 2.4 mg, cagrilintide alone at a dose of 2.4 mg, or placebo, plus lifestyle interventions for all groups. The coprimary end points were the relative change in body weight and a reduction of 5% or more in body weight from baseline to week 68 with cagrilintide-semaglutide as compared with placebo. Body-weight reductions of 20% or more, 25% or more, and 30% or more were assessed as confirmatory secondary end points. Effect estimates were assessed with the treatment-policy estimand (consistent with the intention-to-treat principle). Safety was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 3417 participants underwent randomization, with 2108 assigned to receive cagrilintide-semaglutide, 302 to receive semaglutide, 302 to receive cagrilintide, and 705 to receive placebo. The estimated mean percent change in body weight from baseline to week 68 was -20.4% with cagrilintide-semaglutide as compared with -3.0% with placebo (estimated difference, -17.3 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, -18.1 to -16.6; P<0.001). Participants receiving cagrilintide-semaglutide were more likely than those receiving placebo to reach weight-loss targets of 5% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, and 30% or more (P<0.001 for all comparisons). Gastrointestinal adverse events (affecting 79.6% in the cagrilintide-semaglutide group and 39.9% in the placebo group), including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain, were mainly transient and mild-to-moderate in severity. CONCLUSIONS: Cagrilintide-semaglutide provided significant and clinically relevant body-weight reductions in adults with overweight or obesity, as compared with placebo. (Funded by Novo Nordisk; REDEFINE 1 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05567796.).

BACKGROUND: The amylin receptor agonist cagrilintide and the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide have complementary effects on glycaemic control and bodyweight. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide (cagrilintide-semaglutide; known as CagriSema) versus semaglutide or cagrilintide for glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity. METHODS: REIMAGINE 2 was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled, parallel-group study conducted in 30 countries (trial sites included university hospitals, health-care centres, research centres, and other centres). Participants aged 18 years or older with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 7·0-10·5% [53-91 mmol/mol]) receiving metformin with or without an SGLT2 inhibitor, and a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or more, were randomly assigned (8:8:2:8:8:1:1) to receive once-weekly subcutaneous cagrilintide 2·4 mg plus semaglutide 2·4 mg (hereafter cagrilintide-semaglutide [2·4 mg each]), semaglutide 2·4 mg, cagrilintide 2·4 mg, cagrilintide 1·0 mg plus semaglutide 1·0 mg (hereafter cagrilintide-semaglutide [1·0 mg each]), semaglutide 1·0 mg, or corresponding placebo for 68 weeks. Randomisation was done using a web-based system with blocked randomisation (block size 36) and stratification according to inclusion in the continuous glucose monitoring subgroup, HbA1c less than 8·5% at screening (yes or no), and country of participation (Japan; yes or no). The study participants, investigators, and study sponsor staff were masked to treatment allocation within dose level throughout the study. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1c from baseline to week 68 with cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each) versus semaglutide 2·4 mg in the full analysis set; safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of study product. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06065540) and is complete. FINDINGS: From Oct 10, 2023, to July 29, 2024, 3593 people were screened for eligibility, 2713 of whom were randomly assigned to cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each; n=603), semaglutide 2·4 mg (n=605), cagrilintide 2·4 mg (n=152), cagrilintide-semaglutide (1·0 mg each; n=595), semaglutide 1·0 mg (n=609), or placebo (pooled 2·4 mg and 1·0 mg; n=149). 1164 (42·9%) of 2713 were female, 1549 (57·1%) were male, and 2207 (81·3%) were White. Of the randomly assigned participants, 2595 (95·7%) completed the study and 2376 (87·6%) were on treatment at week 68. Mean baseline HbA1c was 8·2% (SD 0·9). For the primary endpoint using the efficacy estimand, mean HbA1c change was significantly greater with cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each) versus semaglutide 2·4 mg (-1·91 percentage points [SE 0·04] vs -1·75 percentage points [0·04]; estimated treatment difference -0·16 percentage points [95% CI -0·27 to -0·05]; p=0·0035). Adverse events were reported in 524 (86·9%) of 603 participants in the cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each) group, 491 (81·2%) of 605 in the semaglutide 2·4 mg group, 125 (82·2%) of 152 in the cagrilintide 2·4 mg group, 485 (81·6%) of 594 in the cagrilintide-semaglutide (1·0 mg each) group, 477 (78·5%) of 608 in the semaglutide 1·0 mg group, and 105 (70·5%) of 149 in the placebo group. The most common adverse events in the active treatment groups were gastrointestinal disorders. INTERPRETATION: Cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each) was superior to semaglutide 2·4 mg in reducing HbA1c in participants with type 2 diabetes receiving metformin with or without an SGLT2 inhibitor. The safety profile of cagrilintide-semaglutide was consistent with the GLP-1 receptor agonist class and previous safety data for cagrilintide. These findings support the added benefit of cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each) versus semaglutide 2·4 mg for glycaemic control. FUNDING: Novo Nordisk.

BACKGROUND: Cagrilintide-semaglutide (CagriSema) is a novel, once-weekly combination of the amylin receptor agonist cagrilintide and the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of cagrilintide-semaglutide for people with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with diet and exercise. METHODS: REIMAGINE 1 was a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, phase 3a study carried out at 42 sites (study sites included university hospitals, health-care centres, research centres, and other centres) in six countries. Adults aged 18 years or older with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with diet and exercise were randomly assigned (2:1:2:1) to receive once-weekly subcutaneous cagrilintide 2·4 mg plus semaglutide 2·4 mg (cagrilintide-semaglutide [2·4 mg each]), placebo 2·4 mg plus 2·4 mg, cagrilintide 1·0 mg plus semaglutide 1·0 mg (cagrilintide-semaglutide [1·0 mg each]), or placebo 1·0 mg plus 1·0 mg for 40 weeks. Randomisation was done using a web-based system with a block size of six and stratified according to HbA1c less than 8·5% at screening and participation in the MRI substudy. Participants, care providers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked within dose level and all participants received visually identical injections to maintain masking throughout the study. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1c from baseline to week 40 in the full analysis set; safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of the trial product. Change in bodyweight from baseline to week 40 was a prespecified secondary endpoint. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06323174, and is complete. FINDINGS: Between March 19 and Dec 5, 2024, 294 people were screened for eligibility, 189 of whom were enrolled and randomly assigned to cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each; n=62), cagrilintide-semaglutide (1·0 mg each; n=63), or placebo (n=64). 103 (54%) of 189 were male, 86 (46%) were female, 147 (78%) were White, and 26 (14%) were Asian. Baseline mean HbA1c was 7·8% (SD 0·7) and BMI was 35·2 kg/m2 (7·4). Using the efficacy estimand, the estimated mean change in HbA1c after 40 weeks was -1·8 percentage points (SE 0·1) with cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each), -1·5 percentage points (0·1) with cagrilintide-semaglutide (1·0 mg each), and -0·1 percentage points (0·2) with placebo. This corresponded to an estimated treatment difference of -1·7 percentage points (95% CI -2·0 to -1·3; p<0·0001) for cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each) versus placebo and -1·3 percentage points (-1·8 to -0·9; p<0·0001) for cagrilintide-semaglutide (1·0 mg each) versus placebo. Cagrilintide-semaglutide was superior to placebo with respect to estimated mean relative change in bodyweight from baseline to week 40 for cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each; -13·8% [SE 1·0]) versus placebo (-1·4% [0·7]; estimated treatment difference -12·4 percentage points [95% CI -14·7 to -10·1]; p<0·0001) and cagrilintide-semaglutide (1·0 mg each; -11·8% [1·0]) versus placebo (-1·4% [0·7]; estimated treatment difference -10·4 percentage points [-12·9 to -8·0]; p<0·0001). Adverse events were reported by 49 (79%) of 62 participants in the cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each) group, 47 (75%) of 63 in the cagrilintide-semaglutide (1·0 mg each) group, and 42 (66%) of 64 in the placebo group. Most adverse events were mild or moderate and gastrointestinal related. INTERPRETATION: In a population of people with early-stage type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with diet and exercise, cagrilintide-semaglutide (2·4 mg each and 1·0 mg each) was superior to placebo in reducing HbA1c. The safety profile was consistent with the GLP-1 receptor agonist class and previous safety data for cagrilintide. These findings support cagrilintide-semaglutide as a potential novel and effective therapeutic intervention for people with early-stage type 2 diabetes. FUNDING: Novo Nordisk.

BACKGROUND: Combining the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide with the long-acting amylin analogue cagrilintide has weight-loss benefits; the impact on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is unknown. This trial assessed the efficacy and safety of co-administered semaglutide with cagrilintide (CagriSema) in participants with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This 32-week, multicentre, double-blind, phase 2 trial was conducted across 17 sites in the USA. Adults with type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher on metformin with or without an SGLT2 inhibitor were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to once-weekly subcutaneous CagriSema, semaglutide, or cagrilintide (all escalated to 2·4 mg). Randomisation was done centrally using an interactive web response system and was stratified according to use of SGLT2 inhibitor treatment (yes vs no). The trial participants, investigators, and trial sponsor staff were masked to treatment assignment throughout the trial. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in HbA1c; secondary endpoints were bodyweight, fasting plasma glucose, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) parameters, and safety. Efficacy analyses were performed in all participants who had undergone randomisation, and safety analyses in all participants who had undergone randomisation and received at least one dose of the trial medication. This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04982575) and is complete. FINDINGS: Between Aug 2 and Oct 18, 2021, 92 participants were randomly assigned to CagriSema (n=31), semaglutide (n=31), or cagrilintide (n=30). 59 (64%) participants were male; the mean age of participants was 58 years (SD 9). The mean change in HbA1c from baseline to week 32 (CagriSema: -2·2 percentage points [SE 0·15]; semaglutide: -1·8 percentage points [0·16]; cagrilintide: -0·9 percentage points [0·15]) was greater with CagriSema versus cagrilintide (estimated treatment difference -1·3 percentage points [95% CI -1·7 to -0·8]; p<0·0001), but not versus semaglutide (-0·4 percentage points [-0·8 to 0·0]; p=0·075). The mean change in bodyweight from baseline to week 32 (CagriSema: -15·6% [SE 1·26]; semaglutide: -5·1% [1·26]; cagrilintide: -8·1% [1·23]) was greater with CagriSema versus both semaglutide (p<0·0001) and cagrilintide (p<0·0001). The mean change in fasting plasma glucose from baseline to week 32 (CagriSema: -3·3 mmol/L [SE 0·3]; semaglutide: -2·5 mmol/L [0·4]; cagrilintide: -1·7 mmol/L [0·3]) was greater with CagriSema versus cagrilintide (p=0·0010) but not versus semaglutide (p=0·10). Time in range (3·9-10·0 mmol/L) was 45·9%, 32·6%, and 56·9% at baseline and 88·9%, 76·2%, and 71·7% at week 32 with CagriSema, semaglutide, and cagrilintide, respectively. Adverse events were reported by 21 (68%) participants in the CagriSema group, 22 (71%) in the semaglutide group, and 24 (80%) in the cagrilintide group. Mild or moderate gastrointestinal adverse events were most common; no level 2 or 3 hypoglycaemia was reported. No fatal adverse events were reported. INTERPRETATION: In people with type 2 diabetes, treatment with CagriSema resulted in clinically relevant improvements in glycaemic control (including CGM parameters). The mean change in HbA1c with CagriSema was greater versus cagrilintide, but not versus semaglutide. Treatment with CagriSema resulted in significantly greater weight loss versus semaglutide and cagrilintide and was well tolerated. These data support further investigation of CagriSema in this population in longer and larger phase 3 studies. FUNDING: Novo Nordisk.

BACKGROUND: Natural amylin is a pancreatic hormone that induces satiety. Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analogue under investigation for weight management. We assessed the dose-response relationship of cagrilintide regarding the effects on bodyweight, safety, and tolerability. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled, dose-finding phase 2 trial at 57 sites including hospitals, specialist clinics, and primary care centres in ten countries (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Japan, Poland, Serbia, South Africa, the UK, and the USA). Eligible participants were adults aged at least 18 years without diabetes, with a body-mass index of at least 30 kg/m2 or at least 27 kg/m2 with hypertension or dyslipidaemia. Participants were randomly assigned (6:1) to subcutaneous self-injections of once-weekly cagrilintide (0·3, 0·6, 1·2, 2·4, or 4·5 mg), once-daily liraglutide 3·0 mg, or volume-matched placebo (for six placebo groups). The trial had a 26-week treatment period, including a dose-escalation period of up to 6 weeks, and a 6-week follow-up period without treatment. Participants and investigators were masked to the assigned study treatment with respect to active versus pooled placebo treatment, but not to different active treatments. The primary endpoint was the percentage change in bodyweight from baseline to week 26, assessed in all randomly assigned participants according to the trial product estimand (assuming all participants were adherent to treatment) and to the treatment policy estimand (regardless of adherence to treatment). Safety was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of randomised treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03856047, and is closed to new participants. FINDINGS: Between March 1 and Aug 19, 2019, we randomly assigned 706 participants to cagrilintide 0·3-4·5 mg (100-102 per dose group), 99 to liraglutide 3·0 mg, and 101 to placebo. Permanent treatment discontinuation (n=73 [10%]) occurred similarly across treatment groups, mostly due to adverse events (n=30 [4%]). In total, 29 participants (4%) withdrew from the trial. According to the trial product estimand, mean percentage weight reductions from baseline were greater with all doses of cagrilintide (0·3-4·5 mg, 6·0%-10·8% [6·4-11·5 kg]) versus placebo (3·0% [3·3 kg]; estimated treatment difference range 3·0%-7·8%; p<0·001). Weight reductions were also greater with cagrilintide 4·5 mg versus liraglutide 3·0 mg (10·8% [11·5 kg] vs 9·0% [9·6 kg]; estimated treatment difference 1·8%, p=0·03). Similar weight loss reductions were observed with the treatment policy estimand. The most frequent adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders (eg, nausea, constipation, and diarrhoea) and administration-site reactions. More participants receiving cagrilintide 0·3-4·5 mg had gastrointestinal adverse events compared with placebo (41%-63% vs 32%), primarily nausea (20%-47% vs 18%). INTERPRETATION: Treatment with cagrilintide in people with overweight and obesity led to significant reductions in bodyweight and was well tolerated. The findings support the development of molecules with novel mechanisms of action for weight management. FUNDING: Novo Nordisk A/S.