Novo Nordisk has announced that Health Canada has approved Wegovy (semaglutide injection) for reducing the risk of non-fatal heart attacks in adults with obesity and existing cardiovascular disease. The treatment is intended for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m² or higher.
This marks the first approval in Canada for a treatment that targets both chronic weight management and reduces the risk of non-fatal heart attacks.
Obesity rates in Canada have risen sharply over the past two decades, contributing to a growing number of health problems, particularly heart disease. According to the 2022 Canadian Community Health Survey, nearly one in three Canadian adults are living with obesity. Research shows that people with obesity are more than twice as likely to develop heart disease as those with a healthy weight.
Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is the leading type of ischemic heart disease. In Canada, heart disease is the second leading cause of death and a major factor behind hospitalizations. Approximately 90 percent of Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease, stroke, or vascular cognitive impairment, including age, sex, diabetes, family history, and ethnicity. The number of heart attacks, especially among men, continues to rise across the country.
Health Canada’s approval of Wegovy is based on the results of the Semaglutide Effects on Cardiovascular Outcomes in People with Overweight or Obesity (SELECT) trial. The treatment is now available to help Canadians who face a higher risk of heart attack due to obesity and cardiovascular conditions.
Dr. Subodh Verma, a cardiac surgeon and the national lead investigator for the SELECT trial in Canada, emphasized the ongoing risk of heart attacks for those with obesity. He described semaglutide 2.4 mg as a breakthrough, being the first treatment proven to reduce non-fatal heart attacks in people with obesity who do not have diabetes.
“This is a pivotal moment in the treatment of obesity,” Dr. Verma said, “shifting the focus from a risk factor to a key target for therapy.”
Sanjeev Sockalingam, scientific director of Obesity Canada, welcomed the approval, stressing that Canadians living with obesity deserve comprehensive, evidence-based care, including medical nutrition therapy, psychological support, physical activity, medication, and surgery.
Vince Lamanna, president of Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., highlighted the significance of Wegovy’s approval, offering hope to Canadians struggling with both obesity and cardiovascular disease. He acknowledged the emotional toll of heart attacks on families and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing innovative treatments for unmet medical needs.
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