Novo Nordisk shares surged more than 6% on Thursday after the Danish pharma giant unveiled real-world evidence showing its blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic® (semaglutide) significantly outperforms rival dulaglutide in reducing cardiovascular risks.
In the REACH study, presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) annual meeting in Vienna, Ozempic was linked to a 23% lower risk of heart attack, stroke and death compared with dulaglutide in Medicare patients aged 66 and older with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The data also showed a 26% reduction in overall mortality.
“This fills an important gap in our understanding and reinforces the clinical evidence of semaglutide,” said Filip Krag Knop, senior vice president and incoming chief medical officer at Novo Nordisk. “It is great news for older patients and healthcare professionals alike.”
Ozempic is already the only GLP-1 receptor agonist proven to reduce both cardiovascular and kidney events in people with type 2 diabetes. The REACH study marks the first head-to-head, real-world comparison with dulaglutide, adding further weight to its competitive edge in the fast-growing diabetes and obesity treatment market.
The news comes as Novo Nordisk cements its status as Europe’s most valuable listed company. With more than 7 million patients worldwide currently treated with Ozempic, the latest findings are expected to drive further demand and strengthen the drug’s dominant position in the GLP-1 class.
Investors welcomed the update, pushing Novo Nordisk’s stock sharply higher and adding billions to its market value in a single trading session. Analysts said the results could accelerate physician preference for Ozempic and further expand Novo’s leadership in metabolic health.
Source: Novo Nordisk, Ozempic reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and death by 23% compared to dulaglutide in first head-to-head real-world study, 18 Sept 2025, Novo Nordisk News
