Novo Nordisk says oral GLP-1 drug failed to slow Alzheimer's progression in clinical trials

The manufacturer behind Ozempic has faced a huge blow after clinical trials for treating Alzheimer's disease failed to meet its main goal.

Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has seen shares fall to a four-year low following the disappointing trial, which tested whether an early oral version of its GLP-1 medication semaglutide would be able to slow the progression of Alzheimer's.

Although two earlier trials did reveal an improvement of Alzheimer’s disease-related biomarkers when treated with semaglutide, it sadly didn't translate into a delay of the disease's progression.

They had been aiming to slow down patients' cognitive decline by at least 20 percent, but unfortunately, this goal was not met.

Earlier today (24 November), the Danish company released a statement announcing the results of the trial and insisting the 'extensive body of evidence supporting semaglutide continues to provide benefits for individuals with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and related comorbidities.'

Rybelsus oral tablets were used in the trials (Getty Stock Images)

“Based on the significant unmet need in Alzheimer’s disease as well as a number of indicative data points, we felt we had a responsibility to explore semaglutide’s potential, despite a low likelihood of success," Martin Holst Lange, chief scientific officer and executive vice president of Research and Development at Novo Nordisk, said in a statement.

"We are proud to have conducted two well-controlled phase 3 trials in Alzheimer’s disease that meet the highest standards of research and rigorous methodology.”

The trials, which used the drug Rybelsus, a pill currently only approved for type 2 diabetes, were described as a 'lottery ticket,' by Novo's executive vice president for Product and Portfolio Strategy, Ludovic Helfgott, as the outcome was unknown, but believed to have huge potential.

Sadly, the trial failed to meet its main goal (Getty Stock Images)

The results of the tests are not only disappointing to the manufacturers, but also to the 55 million people all over the world currently living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, for which there are no known cures.

Alzheimer's is mainly caused by the buildup of two specific proteins in the brain, amyloid and tau, which kill brain cells. While certain lifestyle factors like poor sleep, lack of physical activity and high blood pressure can contribute to the risk of developing the condition, age is the single biggest risk factor, with Alzheimer's being significantly more common among older adults.

Other things that can increase a person's risk of developing the disease are genetics, severe head injuries and environmental factors like air pollution.