The short answer
The combination produced greater average weight loss than placebo over 68 weeks. This trial did not compare it with semaglutide alone or tirzepatide.
Who took part?
Researchers randomized 1,206 adults with type 2 diabetes and a BMI of at least 27. Participants received weekly cagrilintide and semaglutide, 2.4 mg each, or placebo. Both groups received lifestyle support.
Percent of starting weight
Original visual based on the study.
| Group or measure | Result |
|---|---|
| CagriSema | −13.7% |
| Placebo | −3.4% |
What changed?
Estimated average weight change was:
−13.7% with CagriSema.
−3.4% with placebo.
The analysis followed the intention-to-treat principle. It aimed to estimate the effect of assignment, rather than only describing people who remained on treatment.
Blood-sugar outcomes also improved: 73.5% versus 15.9% reached an HbA1c of 6.5% or below. That threshold does not establish diabetes remission.
What were the trade-offs?
Digestive adverse events affected 72.5% of the combination group and 34.4% of the placebo group. Most were temporary and mild or moderate.
The useful takeaway
The population matters: these were adults with diabetes. REDEFINE 1 studied a different population. The findings do not establish superiority over other active medicines or predict individual results.
Sources
Davies and colleagues, NEJM, 2025. Funded by Novo Nordisk.