Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Tops Rival in Cardiovascular Study
A real-world study shows Wegovy cut the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death by 57% more than Eli Lilly's tirzepatide in obesity patients.
Novo Nordisk has escalated its rivalry with Eli Lilly, releasing compelling new data suggesting its blockbuster weight-loss drug, Wegovy, offers significantly greater protection against major cardiovascular events than its competitor, tirzepatide.
In a real-world study dubbed STEER, findings presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2025 showed that Wegovy (semaglutide) users saw a 57% greater reduction in the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death from any cause compared to those taking tirzepatide. This direct comparison is a significant development in the highly competitive market for obesity treatments, where both drugs are vying for dominance not just in weight loss but in broader health outcomes.
The study analyzed patients with obesity and established cardiovascular disease but without diabetes. , the 57% risk reduction was observed in patients who remained on continuous treatment. Across all treated individuals, regardless of gaps in therapy, Wegovy still demonstrated a significant 29% risk reduction for the same events compared to tirzepatide users.
These findings build upon Wegovy's existing credentials. The drug had to reduce cardiovascular risk following the landmark SELECT trial, which showed a 20% reduction in such events. This new real-world evidence suggests its benefits could be even more pronounced and specific to the semaglutide molecule.
"The findings support growing evidence that the established CV benefit seen with Wegovy® is specific to the semaglutide molecule and therefore cannot be generalized to the GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1-receptor agonist classes," Novo Nordisk stated in its press release, drawing a clear distinction from its rival's drug class. Cardiovascular disease remains the , making treatments that can mitigate its impact highly valuable.
The battle for the multi-billion dollar obesity drug market is fierce. While Novo Nordisk's new data gives it a competitive edge, Eli Lilly has also demonstrated strong cardiovascular outcomes for its drug, Zepbound (tirzepatide), particularly in patients with heart failure. The STEER study, however, is one of the first major real-world analyses to compare the two head-to-head, providing crucial data for clinicians and patients weighing their treatment options. Wegovy is an that has become a household name, and this latest evidence is likely to further solidify its position in the market.