Novo Nordisk, a leading pharmaceutical company, has made a groundbreaking announcement: its weight-loss drug, liraglutide, is safe and effective for children as young as six years old. This news has significant implications for tackling the growing issue of childhood obesity.
The company’s findings, based on a study involving 82 children, showed a 7.4% reduction in body mass index (BMI) over a year in children aged 6 to 12 who received liraglutide injections compared to a placebo group. This makes liraglutide a potential game-changer as it could become the first obesity treatment specifically approved for this age group.
Novo Nordisk is currently seeking regulatory approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The company’s head of development, Martin Holst Lange, emphasized the importance of this potential intervention, stating that “One in five children have obesity and one of the biggest predictors for adult obesity is childhood obesity.”
While the findings are promising, the study also highlighted some potential side effects, including nausea and vomiting. Additionally, weight regain was observed after stopping the drug. However, Claudia Fox, who led the study at the University of Minnesota Medical School, confirmed there were no significant differences in growth, bone age, or puberty issues between the children receiving liraglutide and the control group.
This announcement comes at a time when the weight-loss drug market is facing intense scrutiny. Counterfeit versions of popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic are circulating, raising concerns about safety and efficacy. However, the market is also expanding rapidly, with companies like Hims & Hers Health Inc. offering affordable alternatives to address the increasing demand and occasional shortages.
Novo Nordisk is not the only company exploring the potential of weight-loss drugs for children. The company is also testing semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, which is already approved for individuals over 12 years old. Semaglutide has shown promise in addressing various health issues beyond weight loss, including heart failure, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer.
Eli Lilly, another major pharmaceutical player, has launched discounted versions of its appetite-suppressing drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, to combat imitation versions and address regulatory debates over drug shortages.
The future of weight-loss drugs for children remains uncertain, but the potential benefits are undeniable. As research continues and regulatory approval processes progress, we can expect to see further advancements in addressing this critical health issue.
