Novo Nordisk Presents New Wegovy Data for Women with Obesity at European Congress on Obesity 2026

Key Takeaways

• Novo Nordisk is presenting 52 abstracts at ECO 2026 (May 12–15) covering Wegovy 7.2 mg, oral semaglutide 25 mg, and CagriSema data (Novo Nordisk press release, April 28, 2026)
• The STEP UP trial showed early responders to Wegovy 7.2 mg achieved 27.7% mean weight loss at week 72, with 84% of loss from fat mass (Novo Nordisk press release, May 12, 2026)
• Data from OASIS 4 trial on oral semaglutide 25 mg (Wegovy pill) will be presented, expanding delivery options
• Real-world evidence from OUTSTEP 1 interim analysis examines Wegovy's impact on menopause-related symptoms in women
• CagriSema (cagrilintide 2.4 mg + semaglutide 2.4 mg) from REDEFINE 1 represents the next-generation pipeline

What Wegovy Data Will Novo Nordisk Present at ECO 2026?

Novo Nordisk announced it will present 52 abstracts at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026), taking place May 12–15, 2026, at the Istanbul Congress Center. The presentations span multiple clinical trials and real-world evidence studies for the company's obesity portfolio.

The Danish pharmaceutical company will showcase findings from the STEP UP trial examining higher-dose Wegovy (semaglutide 7.2 mg), data from OASIS 4 on oral semaglutide 25 mg, and real-world evidence from the ongoing OUTSTEP 1 study. Additionally, Novo Nordisk will present data on CagriSema from the REDEFINE 1 trial, a combination therapy representing the company's next-generation approach to obesity treatment.

What Did the STEP UP Trial Show for Higher-Dose Wegovy?

The STEP UP trial enrolled 1,407 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30) to evaluate semaglutide 7.2 mg against the approved 2.4 mg dose and placebo. According to data presented at ECO 2026, early responders to the 7.2 mg dose—defined as patients achieving ≥15% weight loss by week 24—achieved 27.7% mean weight loss at week 72.

Overall results showed the 7.2 mg dose achieved 21% mean weight loss compared to 17.5% with 2.4 mg and 2.4% with placebo. A sub-analysis of 55 participants demonstrated that 84% of weight loss came from fat mass, with muscle mass reduced by only 10%. The treatment also reduced abdominal visceral fat by over 30%, indicating improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors.

Treatment	Mean Weight Loss (Week 72)	Sample Size
Semaglutide 7.2 mg (all patients)	21%	~469
Semaglutide 2.4 mg	17.5%	~469
Placebo	2.4%	~469
Early responders to 7.2 mg	27.7%	27% of treatment group

How Does Wegovy Perform in Women Across Menopause Stages?

One focus of the ECO 2026 presentations is Wegovy's effectiveness in women across all phases of menopause. Data from the OUTSTEP 1 interim analysis examines real-world evidence on how semaglutide impacts menopause-related symptoms. The findings suggest weight loss benefits that are independent of menopausal status, meaning premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women all experienced meaningful outcomes.

This data addresses a historically underrepresented population in obesity research. Women face unique challenges in weight management due to hormonal changes during menopause, metabolic differences compared to men, and varying treatment responses. The inclusion of menopausal sub-analyses in the ECO presentations represents a step toward more inclusive clinical evidence.

What About the Oral Wegovy Pill?

Novo Nordisk is also presenting data from the OASIS 4 trial evaluating oral semaglutide 25 mg—a daily pill formulation of Wegovy. This expands the company's portfolio beyond injectable therapies, potentially offering patients who prefer oral medications an alternative to weekly subcutaneous injections.

The FDA has approved Wegovy as both a once-daily oral tablet at 25 mg and weekly subcutaneous injections at 1.7 mg, 2.4 mg, and 7.2 mg. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the weekly injection formulations at 2.4 mg and 7.2 mg doses. The availability of multiple formulations allows for individualized treatment approaches based on patient preference, tolerability, and clinical indication.

What Is CagriSema and the REDEFINE 1 Trial?

CagriSema represents Novo Nordisk's next-generation obesity therapy, combining cagrilintide 2.4 mg (an amylin analogue) with semaglutide 2.4 mg (a GLP-1 receptor agonist). The company is presenting data from the REDEFINE 1 trial at ECO 2026, which evaluates this dual-mechanism approach.

The amylin-based therapy targets a different physiological pathway than GLP-1 agonists alone. Amylin is a pancreatic hormone that complements GLP-1 activity by slowing gastric emptying, reducing glucagon secretion, and promoting satiety. The combination approach aims to achieve greater weight loss than either mechanism alone while maintaining the cardiometabolic benefits demonstrated by GLP-1 therapies.

What Is the Market Significance of These Presentations?

The comprehensive data package at ECO 2026 underscores Novo Nordisk's strategy to expand the evidence base for Wegovy while advancing its obesity pipeline. With global obesity rates continuing to rise—particularly among women—these findings could influence clinical practice guidelines and reimbursement decisions across European markets.

The 52 abstracts represent one of the largest corporate data disclosures at a major obesity congress this year. The inclusion of higher-dose data (7.2 mg) and combination therapy (CagriSema) positions the company to address future competition from other incretin-based therapies entering the market. For investors and healthcare providers, the breadth of data covering efficacy, body composition, menopausal populations, and formulation options provides a comprehensive picture of the drug's clinical profile.

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Primary Sources

1. Novo Nordisk. "Novo Nordisk to present new data on Wegovy, women with obesity and next-generation weight loss treatments at European Congress on Obesity." GlobeNewswire. April 28, 2026. https://www.globenewswire.com/...
2. Novo Nordisk. "Novo Nordisk's higher-dose Wegovy demonstrates nearly 28% weight loss in early responders." GlobeNewswire. May 12, 2026. https://www.globenewswire.com/...