‘Even better’: Ozempic superior to be trialled in Australia

Max Corstorphan
The Nightly
1 Min Read
 CagriSema, hailed as potentially superior to Ozempic, is set to undergo Australian trials.
CagriSema, hailed as potentially superior to Ozempic, is set to undergo Australian trials. Credit: Adobe Stock/Wild Awake - stock.adobe.com

A new diabetes medication, hailed as potentially superior to Ozempic, is set to undergo trials in Melbourne.

The new drug aims to address global drug shortages and offer improved treatment for Type II diabetes.

The innovative treatment, known as CagriSema, combines semaglutide—the active ingredient in the popular diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic—with an additional appetite suppressant, cagrilintide.

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The combination is expected to significantly enhance the drug’s effectiveness.

The Royal Melbourne Hospital will conduct a year-long trial offering the medication for free to a select group of overweight, type II diabetic patients.

Associate Professor John Wentworth, an endocrinologist at Royal Melbourne Hospital told the Herald Sun: “We know that if we use either drug on its own, it’s pretty effective”.

“So when we put them together, we expect that it’s going to be even better and there’s data to support that from other studies.”

Developed by pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, the drug will be tested in a global trial involving over 2,000 participants.

“This is a massive international study, so the results will no doubt mean that the drug will get licensed,” he told the publication.

“Ozempic has basically had a stranglehold on our market.

“If we have more options, then surely we’ve got a better chance of getting decent supply to help people.”

In Australia, trials will also be conducted at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital, as well as locations in New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland.

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