Weeks after Novo Nordisk released data demonstrating that its once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg drug cut the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by 20%, the treatment aced another cardiovascular study.

The Danish drugmaker released results Friday morning that found its semaglutide injection, better known by its brand name Wegovy, led to “large reductions” in heart failure-related symptoms for adults with the condition and obesity.

The findings, presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress and published in the New England Journal of Medicine simultaneously, showed the treatment resulted in greater weight loss in adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity.

Based on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Clinical Summary Score, semaglutide 2.4 mg achieved a 16.6-point increase at 52 weeks compared to an 8.7 point increase with the placebo.

The mean change in body weight was a 13.3% reduction with Wegovy as opposed to a 2.6% reduction with the placebo. Additionally, the study found a mean increase in six-minute walking distance of 21.5 metres at 52 weeks while on the treatment compared to 1.2 meters on the placebo. Wegovy also reduced inflammation, as measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

“We are delighted with the results from STEP HFpEF, which show that semaglutide 2.4 mg is able to ease the disease burden for people with HFpEF and obesity in a substantial way,” Martin Lange, EVP and head of development at Novo Nordisk, said in a statement. “These results come just weeks after the topline findings of our semaglutide 2.4 mg and cardiovascular outcomes trial were announced and reinforce the potential of semaglutide 2.4 mg to enhance cardiovascular care, beyond weight management. We look forward to working closely with the clinical community and regulators to help realise this potential over the coming months.”

Thanks to its semaglutide offerings, Novo continues to make strides in the obesity and diabetes space with additional clinical data attesting to the effectiveness in addressing cardiovascular risks.

The success of this trial in reducing heart failure, combined with the earlier SELECT trial that found the treatment reduced instances of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke, point to potential expansion of label indication in the future.

To that end, Novo said earlier this month that it plans to apply for regulatory approval of label expansion for Wegovy in the U.S. and E.U. in the coming months.

Despite widespread off-label use of Wegovy and its sibling drug Ozempic, Novo has reaped the benefits of effective weight-loss drugs to the tune of a market capitalization matching that of its home nation of Denmark.

Sales within Novo’s diabetes and obesity business — which includes Wegovy and Ozempic — rose 37% at constant exchange rates during the first half of 2023.

However, that hasn’t come without complications in the form of supply shortages, revisions to marketing plans, and more recently, manufacturing challenges impeding output to meet high demand in the U.S.

The trial results come days after Reuters reported that Novo enlisted Thermo Fisher Scientific to serve as a second contract manufacturer of Wegovy in light of production woes facing first contract manufacturer Catalent.