The GLP-1 drug semaglutide has demonstrated significant benefits in reducing knee pain and improving movement for patients with severe obesity and knee osteoarthritis, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). This finding could pave the way for FDA approval of GLP-1 drugs for treating osteoarthritis.
Patients treated with semaglutide experienced an average weight loss of nearly 14%, compared to 3% in the placebo group. This weight reduction was associated with substantial decreases in pain and improvements in knee function. If these results hold true and Novo Nordisk's drug receives regulatory approval for knee osteoarthritis, demand is expected to increase significantly.
Semaglutide for Osteoarthritis
The study's findings suggest a potential new treatment avenue for osteoarthritis, a condition affecting millions worldwide. The current treatment landscape primarily involves pain management and physical therapy, with limited options for disease modification. Semaglutide's ability to address both weight and inflammation could offer a more comprehensive approach.
"The health care system needs to take a close look at that utilization to make sure that this drug is available for people who need it most," a rheumatologist told STAT.
Ozempic and Wegovy Availability
In related news, the FDA has updated its drug shortage list to indicate that Ozempic and Wegovy, both manufactured by Novo Nordisk, are now available across all doses. This development suggests that the semaglutide shortage may be easing, although the drugs are not yet officially removed from the shortage list.
If Ozempic and Wegovy are removed from the shortage list, it could significantly impact compounding pharmacies that have been producing lower-cost versions of the drug to address supply gaps. These pharmacies are legally permitted to produce these versions only when the FDA declares a drug to be in shortage.
TMS Shows Promise in Alzheimer's Disease
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is emerging as a potential therapy for slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Data from a mid-stage trial revealed that patients receiving TMS experienced a 44% slower rate of disease progression. Furthermore, 37% of patients in the TMS group showed no disease progression over the year-long study, compared to only 17% in the placebo group, according to STAT's Jonathan Wosen.
The study, while small with only 32 patients at a single site, yielded promising results. Sinaptica, the developer of the TMS treatment, is planning a larger, multicenter trial to validate these findings and explore biomarkers that may predict treatment response.
"It is very likely that, in the future, we could combine our therapy with [Alzheimer’s] drugs, especially given that they have supplementary modes of action," said Sinaptica CEO Ken Mariash.
