New analyses from the STEP UP clinical trial presented at the European Congress on Obesity suggest that a higher dose of Wegovy® may help people with obesity achieve even greater weight loss while mainly reducing body fat and preserving muscle function.

The study, conducted by Novo Nordisk, evaluated a 7.2 mg dose of Wegovy® (semaglutide) compared with the currently approved 2.4 mg dose and placebo over 72 weeks in more than 1,400 adults with obesity who did not have type 2 diabetes.

Researchers found that participants receiving the higher 7.2 mg dose lost an average of 20.7% of their body weight, compared with 17.5% in the 2.4 mg group and 2.4% in the placebo group.

A subgroup analysis showed especially strong results among “early responders” — patients who lost at least 15% of their body weight within the first 24 weeks of treatment. These participants went on to lose an average of 27.7% of their body weight by week 72 on the higher-dose treatment.

About 27% of people taking semaglutide 7.2 mg were classified as early responders, compared with around 21% of those taking the 2.4 mg dose.

Researchers emphasized that even participants who did not achieve rapid early weight loss still experienced clinically meaningful reductions in body weight.

Additional analyses focused on body composition showed that approximately 84% of the weight lost with semaglutide came from reductions in body fat rather than muscle tissue. MRI scans also revealed that abdominal visceral fat decreased by more than 30%.

Although some muscle mass decreased during treatment, participants maintained functional muscle strength, and researchers reported improvements in muscle quality due to reduced fat infiltration within muscles.

Scientists say these findings are important because obesity treatments are increasingly evaluated not only by how much weight patients lose, but also by whether healthy body composition and physical function are preserved.

The STEP UP trial also confirmed that the safety and tolerability profile of the higher 7.2 mg dose was generally consistent with the currently approved 2.4 mg version of Wegovy®.

Wegovy®, a semaglutide-based medication developed by Novo Nordisk, is already approved in multiple countries for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight accompanied by weight-related health conditions.

Researchers say larger and longer-term studies will continue evaluating the effectiveness and safety of higher-dose semaglutide in people with obesity, including patients with type 2 diabetes.