Investing.com -- Novo Nordisk presented new data from its STEP UP clinical trial at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul on Tuesday, showing that the higher 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy helped people with obesity lose significant weight regardless of how quickly their body responded to treatment.

The STEP UP trial tested semaglutide at 7.2 mg against the 2.4 mg dose and placebo over 72 weeks in over 1,400 adults living with obesity without type 2 diabetes. People taking the 7.2 mg dose lost an average of 21% of their total body weight, equivalent to around 23 kg for the average participant who weighed 113 kg before starting treatment. Those on the 2.4 mg dose lost about 17.5% within 72 weeks, while the placebo group lost 2.4%.

The analysis identified early responders as people who lost 15% or more of their body weight within the first 24 weeks of treatment. About 27% of people taking the 7.2 mg dose had an early response, compared with 21% on the 2.4 mg dose and 3% on placebo. The early responder group lost 27.7% of their body weight at week 72.

A separate analysis from 55 participants showed that 84% of the lost weight with semaglutide was due to a reduction in fat mass. Abdominal visceral fat was reduced by over 30% with semaglutide. Muscle mass was reduced by only 10% compared to baseline, accompanied by improved muscle health as assessed by the amount of muscle fat.

Participants taking semaglutide maintained their functional muscle strength during weight loss. Muscle function was measured using a 30-second sit-to-stand test, which showed the same functional muscle strength in both the semaglutide and placebo groups before and after treatment.