CagriSema: The Revolutionary Diabetes & Weight Loss Drug Explained

The market for weight reduction medications has skyrocketed after the approval of Saxenda (liraglutide), the first GLP-1 weight loss injectable in 2014. Since then, various new similar drugs have emerged in the market offering similar benefits. CagriSema is one such medication. It is the most recent development in the race by pharmaceutical companies to create more potent medicines.

CagriSema is GLP-1 injectable drug for weight loss and diabetes control. Although the drug has not yet received official approval, clinical investigations indicate that it may function better than popular weight loss medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro. CagriSema is expected to launch in the UK possibly in 2026. In this article, we will explore what CagriSema is and how it works in fighting two major health concerns: obesity and diabetes. 

What is CagriSema?

CagriSema is a fixed-dose combination of semaglutide, an authorized glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist, and cagrilintide, an investigational long-acting amylin analogue. It is developed to treat individuals with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity. 

• CagriSema is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection that contains a fixed dose combination of semaglutide 2.4 mg and cagrilintide 2.4 mg.
  
  

• By decreasing hunger and enhancing feelings of fullness, cagrilintide and semaglutide help people eat less and consume fewer calories, which leads to weight loss.
  
  

• This drug is also being studied as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes.

How does CagriSema work:

As mentioned above, the two active ingredients in CagriSema work together:

1. Semaglutide: Semaglutide is a member of the class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. It is a once-weekly injection used for weight loss and diabetes. All of the medications in this class mimic the natural hormone GLP-1, which controls hunger and blood sugar.
   
   Semaglutide helps you better regulate blood sugar and what you eat by reducing hunger desires by imitating the properties of GLP-1. Additionally, it might prolong the time that food remains in the stomach (delayed gastric emptying), which would decrease hunger and increase feelings of fullness. As a result, you will eat fewer calories which will eventually lead to weight loss.

2. Cagrilintide: It is a new class of weight-loss medication known as an amylin analogue. The pancreas produces and releases the hormone amylin, which slows stomach emptying, controls blood sugar levels, and makes you feel full after eating
   
   Like GLP-1s, cagrilintide targets this hormone to help control appetite. Although their effects are similar, they generate sensations of fullness by acting on different parts of the brain. This led scientists to investigate potential relation between cagrilintide and semaglutide.

Benefits of CagriSema:

CagriSema offers the following benefits:

• CagriSema has demonstrated beneficial benefits on blood sugar management and may lower the risk of major problems for those with type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, more long-term studies are required to ascertain its long-term effectiveness. 
  
  

• CagriSema appears to be a potent weight-management choice as well. Recent studies have shown that people who are obese or overweight can lose weight more effectively by using this medication. Losing weight may help promote healthier metabolic processes and has been linked to better blood sugar regulation. 
  
  

• It offers convenient dosing as the drug is injected one-weekly.

Preliminary results: 

Currently, thousands of people are being researched at various centers as part of Phase 3 trials for CagriSema weight reduction injections, which indicate that the medication has survived the initial testing. 

As part of the latest trials, the results of Novo Nordisk's 68-week trial's first phase were just released. The effects of administering three distinct medications—CagriSema, cagrilintide, and semaglutide—were assessed throughout the trial.  

• Patients who took CagriSema lost 22.7% of their body weight.

• Patients who received cagrilintide alone lost 11.8% of their body weight.

• Patients who received only semaglutide lost 16.1% of their body weight.

There is a noticeable and substantial difference. CagriSema also seems to be safe for obese adults, according to the findings of this research phase. 

Side effects of CagriSema:

The outcome of people using CagriSema is quite positive. However, just like any other medicine it may have side effects. Subsequent research stages may uncover additional or distinct adverse effects. So far, the following minor gastrointestinal side effects have been documented:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

These are the same side effects seen with commercially available weight-loss drugs. As patients continue to take the drug for a longer period of time, Novo Nordisk claims that the negative effects should lessen or go away. 

Potential of CagriSeman beyond diabetes and weight loss:

The function of CagriSema goes beyond controlling weight and blood sugar. It has demonstrated potential in reducing hypertension and dyslipidemia, two more elements of the metabolic syndrome. For people dealing with several metabolic risk factors, CagriSema offers a complete therapy approach by addressing these interrelated issues.

Next clinic trials for CagriSema:

Three more phases of the Phase 3 REDEFINE program are presently in progress to evaluate the medications' safety in various people prior to its release onto the market:

• REDEFINE 2: The safety and weight loss effects of once-weekly CagriSema injections on individuals with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese will be examined in the second phase of the testing as well as licensing.

• REDEFINE 3: This phase of the clinical trial aims to test CagriSema on individuals with cardiovascular disease (conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels) to assess any cardiovascular outcomes. 

• REDEFINE 4: The final stage is a 72-week study that compares weekly CagriSema weight loss injections to tirzepatide injections.

When will CagriSegma be available?

The Novo Nordisk obesity medication is anticipated to be submitted for approval in Q4 of 2025 if all Phase 3 clinical trials go as planned . CagriSema will undergo assessment by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after submission.

The following is a broad overview of the factors that affect the approval timeline:

• Submission for approval: At the end of 2025, Novo Nordisk will send the MHRA a request for approval and all clinical trial data for evaluation.

• MHRA evaluation: CagriSema's production procedures, safety, and effectiveness are evaluated by the MHRA. Usually, this takes six to twelve months.

• Launched in the UK: CagriSemi weight reduction injections may be made accessible in 2026 or early 2027 if authorized.

Sometimes, especially for novel weight loss medicines, this MHRA clearance process might be expedited to 150 days.  However, it will take at least a year following submission before CagriSema is sold in the UK.

Conclusion:

CagriSema is a promising advancement in the management of obesity and diabetes. With substantial weight loss and better blood sugar regulation, the dual-action strategy gives hope for improved health outcomes. When this drug becomes available, patients should speak with their doctors to find out if it's right for them.