Novo Nordisk announced today that Wegovy is now approved to reduce the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 27kg/m2. It is the first Health Canada approved treatment to support both chronic weight management and to reduce the risk of non-fatal MI.
Health Canada’s non-fatal MI indication for Wegovy is based on results of the Semaglutide Effects on Cardiovascular Outcomes in People with Overweight or Obesity—SELECT—trial.
“As a national lead investigator for the SELECT trial in Canada, and a cardiac surgeon, I can attest to the ongoing recalcitrant risk of myocardial infarctions in individuals living with overweight or obesity. This burden not only impacts their prognosis but also places a significant cost on healthcare systems,” said Subodh Verma (University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada). “The introduction of semaglutide 2.4mg as the only therapy proven to reduce non-fatal myocardial infarctions in patients living with overweight or obesity without diabetes is a remarkable breakthrough. These data mark a new era in the treatment of obesity, shifting the focus from viewing it merely as a risk factor to recognizing it as a critical therapeutic target. This is a great advance and a pivotal moment for patients, representing a crucial step toward reducing the risk of first or recurrent heart attacks in this population.”
“We are very pleased that Wegovy is now approved in Canada to help people who are at risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction. Heart attacks have a profound impact on many families across our country. Wegovy is a clinically evaluated therapy that offers new hope for Canadians living with cardiovascular disease and obesity. We are dedicated to providing Canadians with innovative treatment options to support unmet needs,” said Vince Lamanna, president of Novo Nordisk Canada.
