Novo Nordisk A/S has unveiled transformative findings at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference in Madrid, underscoring the potential efficacy of Saxenda (liraglutide) in combating childhood obesity.
The research, also documented in the New England Journal of Medicine and backed by Novo Nordisk funding, scrutinized 82 children aged between 6 and under 12, all presenting with obesity. Over a 56-week trial, 56 participants received daily injections of liraglutide, up to 3 milligrams, while the remaining 26 were administered a placebo.
Professor Claudia Fox, a lead investigator from the Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School, conveyed hope that a medication effectively targeting obesity's root causes could profoundly enhance the lives of afflicted children.
The study's findings revealed that children under Saxenda treatment demonstrated a 7.4% reduction in BMI, highlighting significant progress in managing childhood obesity. Additionally, improvements in both blood pressure and blood glucose levels were recorded among the Saxenda group compared to the placebo group.
However, the favorable outcomes were accompanied by a higher incidence of side effects, particularly gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting, within the medication group. Serious side effects were also reported among several participants. Notably, BMI levels began to increase once the medication was discontinued, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing treatment to sustain weight management as the children mature.
The implications of this trial are substantial for the pharmaceutical sector, as Novo Nordisk has already petitioned regulatory bodies to extend Saxenda's approval to include children as young as 6, based on these results. Continuing this trial with extended treatment and follow-up, new insights are anticipated in 2027, which will provide a more comprehensive understanding of Saxenda and similar medications' long-term impacts on childhood obesity.
Moreover, Novo Nordisk is evaluating Wegovy, a more potent GLP-1 medication, for the same age group, which has already been approved for children over 12 and is associated with more significant weight reduction compared to liraglutide.
