On 30 August 2024, an article published in the American Journal of Cardiology reported the results of an analysis of data from the SELECT (Semaglutide Effects on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Overweight or Obesity) trial in relation to the effects of semaglutide on mortality. The analysis concluded that, compared to placebo, patients treated with semaglutide had lower rates of “all-cause death”, including both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular death (primarily due to fewer infection-related deaths, especially from COVID-19).
The SELECT trial, sponsored by Novo Nordisk, involved over 17,000 patients with obesity or overweight and cardiovascular disease (without diabetes). Findings from the SELECT trial, demonstrating a significant 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease, have provided support for Wegovy® (semaglutide) label expansions in the EU (July 2024) and US (March 2024).