The drug was safe but did not slow disease progression<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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TUESDAY, Nov. 25, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 A pill version of semaglutide, the ingredient in Ozempic<\/a> and Wegovy<\/a>, did not slow the progress of Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/a>, drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced Monday.<\/p>\n In two Phase 3 trials, researchers tested an oral form of semaglutide in more than 3,800 adults with Alzheimer\u2019s who were already receiving standard care.<\/p>\n While the drug was safe and improved some biological markers linked to the disease, it did not slow memory or cognitive decline compared to a placebo.<\/p>\n Novo Nordisk<\/a> said results from the trials have not yet been peer-reviewed or published, but will be shared at upcoming scientific meetings.<\/p>\n “Based on the significant unmet need in Alzheimer\u2019s 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<\/a>, chief scientific officer and executive vice president of Research and Development at Novo Nordisk, told CNN<\/em>.<\/p>\n Semaglutide is already widely used to treat diabetes<\/a> and obesity<\/a>, and studies have shown it may help protect the heart and kidneys, reduce sleep apnea and possibly help with addiction.<\/p>\n Smaller studies and animal research had also hinted it could help with brain inflammation or slow cognitive decline, but larger trials were needed to prove it.<\/p>\n Novo said it will now end a one-year extension of the Alzheimer’s trials it had planned.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The Alzheimer’s Association<\/a> has more on the disease.<\/p>\n