Novo Reports Greater Weight Loss Than a Tested Dose of Lilly’s Diabetes Drug
Updated 23 September 2026
What Is Happening
Novo Nordisk says its experimental weekly injection CagriSema produced more weight loss than a tested dose of a competing Eli Lilly medicine in adults with type 2 diabetes. That condition makes it difficult for the body to control blood sugar.
Novo is developing CagriSema by combining two drugs, cagrilintide and semaglutide. It is not yet approved. Lilly makes the comparison drug, tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight management.
The study, called REIMAGINE 5, involved people whose diabetes was not adequately controlled by existing medicines. It is a Phase 3 trial, meaning a late-stage human study assessing benefits and risks. After 60 weeks, Novo’s analysis estimated average weight loss of 12.4% with CagriSema, containing 1 mg of each ingredient, versus 9.1% with tirzepatide 5 mg. These percentages measure the share of starting body weight lost.
Novo is claiming an advantage at these particular doses, not that CagriSema is better for every patient or than higher doses of Lilly’s drug. The company released initial headline findings, often called topline results, ahead of a full report.
Sources (1)
Companies Involved
Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk develops and manufactures medicines for diabetes and obesity, including Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide).
Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly develops and manufactures medicines for diabetes, obesity, cancer and other diseases.
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