Research Study to Look at How Well Semaglutide is at Lowering Weight When Taken Together With an Intensive Lifestyle Program (STEP 3)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03611582 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : August 2, 2018
Results First Posted : July 9, 2021
Last Update Posted : November 11, 2021
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Overweight Obesity | Drug: Semaglutide Drug: Placebo (semaglutide) | Phase 3 |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 611 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Effect and Safety of Semaglutide 2.4 mg Once-weekly as Adjunct to Intensive Behavioural Therapy in Subjects With Overweight or Obesity |
Actual Study Start Date : | August 1, 2018 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | March 18, 2020 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | April 28, 2020 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Semaglutide
Participants will receive semaglutide 2.4 mg during 68-week treatment period in addition to intensive behavioural therapy.
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Drug: Semaglutide
Subcutaneous (s.c., under the skin) injections of semaglutide once weekly at escalating doses (0.25 mg/week, 0.5 mg/week, 1.0 mg/week, 1.7 mg/week, 2.4 mg/week). The dose will be escalated to next level every 4 weeks. |
Placebo Comparator: Semaglutide placebo
Participants will receive semaglutide placebo during 68-week treatment period in addition to intensive behavioural therapy.
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Drug: Placebo (semaglutide)
S.c. injections of placebo once weekly at a similar dose escalation manner as semaglutide (placebo matched to semaglutide 0.25 mg/week, 0.5 mg/week, 1.0 mg/week, 1.7 mg/week, 2.4 mg/week). The dose will be escalated to next level every 4 weeks. |
- Change in Body Weight (%) [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in body weight from baseline (week 0) to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from both in-trial and on-treatment periods. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from the start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75). On-treatment observation period: includes all time intervals in which participants are considered to be on treatment from the first (week 0) to last trial product administration (week 68), including 2 weeks of follow-up. It excludes any period of temporary treatment interruption. Temporary treatment interruption is defined as more than 2 consecutive missed doses (off-treatment period).
- Participants Who Achieve (Yes/no): Body Weight Reduction More Than or Equal to 5% [ Time Frame: After 68 weeks ]Number of participants who achieved greater than or equal to (≥) 5% weight loss after 68 weeks is presented. In the reported data, 'Yes' infers the number of participants who have achieved ≥ 5% weight loss, whereas 'No' infers the number of participants who have not achieved ≥ 5% weight loss. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from both in-trial and on-treatment observation periods. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomization (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75). On-treatment observation period: includes all time intervals in which participants are considered to be on treatment from the first (week 0) to last trial product administration (week 68), including 2 weeks of follow-up. It excludes any period of temporary treatment interruption.
- Participants Who Achieve (Yes/no): Body Weight Reduction More Than or Equal to 10% [ Time Frame: After 68 weeks ]Number of participants who achieved greater than or equal to (≥) 10% weight loss after 68 weeks is presented. In the reported data, 'Yes' infers number of participants who have achieved ≥ 10% weight loss whereas 'No' infers number of participants who have not achieved ≥ 10% weight loss. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomization (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Participants Who Achieve (Yes/no): Body Weight Reduction More Than or Equal to 15% [ Time Frame: After 68 weeks ]Number of participants who achieved greater than or equal to (≥) 15% weight loss after 68 weeks is presented. In the reported data, 'Yes' infers number of participants who have achieved ≥ 15% weight loss whereas 'No' infers number of participants who have not achieved ≥ 15% weight loss. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomization (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Participants Who Achieve (Yes/no): Body Weight Reduction More Than or Equal to 20% [ Time Frame: After 68 weeks ]Number of participants who achieved greater than or equal to (≥) 20% weight loss after 68 weeks is presented. In the reported data, 'Yes' infers number of participants who have achieved ≥ 20% weight loss whereas 'No' infers number of participants who have not achieved ≥ 20% weight loss. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomization (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Waist Circumference [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in waist circumference from baseline (week 0) to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Systolic Blood Pressure [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in systolic blood pressure from baseline (week 0) to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Short Form-36 (SF-36) - Physical Functioning Score [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]SF-36 is a 36-item patient-reported survey of patient health that measures the participant's overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL). SF-36v2™ questionnaire measured eight domains of functional health and well-being as well as two component summary scores (physical component summary and mental component summary). The 0-100 scale scores from the SF-36 were converted to norm-based scores to enable a direct interpretation in relation to the distribution of the scores in the 2009 U.S. general population. In the metric of norm-based scores, 50 and 10 corresponds to the mean and standard deviation respectively. Change from week 0 in the domain scores and component summary scores were evaluated at week 68. A positive change score indicates an improvement since baseline. These endpoints were evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period which is the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Body Weight (Kg) [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in body weight from baseline (week 0) to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Body Mass Index [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in body mass index from baseline (week 0) to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in HbA1c (%) [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline (week 0) to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in HbA1c (mmol/Mol) [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in HbA1c from baseline (week 0) to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Fasting Plasma Glucose [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in fasting plasma glucose from week 0 to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Fasting Serum Insulin [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in fasting serum insulin from week 0 to week 68 [measured as milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL)] is presented as ratio to baseline. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Diastolic Blood Pressure [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in diastolic blood pressure from baseline (week 0) to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Total Cholesterol [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in fasting total cholesterol from baseline (week 0) to week 68 (measured as mg/dL) is presented as ratio to baseline. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in High-density Lipoproteins (HDL) [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in fasting HDL from baseline (week 0) to week 68 (measured as mg/dL) is presented as ratio to baseline.The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Low-density Lipoproteins (LDL) [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in fasting LDL from baseline (week 0) to week 68 (measured as mg/dL) is presented as ratio to baseline. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in fasting VLDL from baseline (week 0) to week 68 (measured as mg/dL) is presented as ratio to baseline. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Free Fatty Acids [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in fasting free fatty acids from baseline (week 0) to week 68 (measured as mg/dL) is presented as ratio to baseline. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Triglycerides [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in fasting triglycerides from baseline (week 0) to week 68 (measured as mg/dL) is presented as ratio to baseline. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in high sensitivity C-reactive protein from baseline (week 0) to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Activity [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity from baseline (week 0) to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Participants Who Achieve (Yes/no): Responder Definition Value for SF-36 Physical Functioning Score [ Time Frame: After 68 weeks ]The observed number of participants experiencing a meaningful within participant improvement in SF-36 Physical function after 68 weeks was determined based on two thresholds. The threshold of 4.3 is the default generic responder threshold defined in SF-36 manual for a general population. The threshold of 3.7 is specific for overweight or obese population included in the study and calculated using patient global rating anchor questionnaires to reflect participants' own perspective based on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations. In the reported data, "Yes" infers number of participants who have achieved an improvement in score greater than or equal to the threshold and "No" infers number of participants who have not achieved an improvement in score greater than or equal to the threshold. The endpoint was evaluated based on the in-trial observation period which is uninterrupted time interval from randomization (week 0) to last trial related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Change in Body Weight [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 8 ]Change in body weight from baseline (week 0) to week 8 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from in-trial observation period. In-trial observation period: the uninterrupted time interval from start of randomisation (week 0) to last trial-related subject-site contact (week 75).
- Number of Treatment-emergent Adverse Events (AEs) [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 75 ]An adverse event (AE) was defined as any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom or disease temporally associated with the use of a product, whether or not considered related to the product. All AEs mentioned here are treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE) defined as an event that had onset date (or increase in severity) on or after the first day of exposure to treatment. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from on-treatment observation period. On-treatment observation period: includes all time intervals in which participants are considered to be on treatment from the first (week 0) to last trial product administration (week 68), including 7 weeks of follow-up. It excludes any period of temporary treatment interruption. Temporary treatment interruption is defined as more than 7 consecutive missed doses (off-treatment period).
- Number of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 75 ]A serious adverse event (SAE) is defined as any untoward medical occurrence that at any dose results in death, or is life-threatening, or requires inpatient hospitalization or causes prolongation of existing hospitalization results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity, or may have caused a congenital anomaly/birth defect, or requires intervention to prevent permanent impairment or damage. The SAEs occurred from week 0 to week 75 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from on-treatment observation period. On-treatment observation period: includes all time intervals in which participants are considered to be on treatment from the first (week 0) to last trial product administration (week 68), including 7 weeks of follow-up. It excludes any period of temporary treatment interruption. Temporary treatment interruption is defined as more than 7 consecutive missed doses (off-treatment period).
- Change in Pulse [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in pulse from baseline (week 0) to week 68 is presented. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from on-treatment observation period. On-treatment observation period: includes all time intervals in which participants are considered to be on treatment from the first (week 0) to last trial product administration (week 68) including 2 weeks of follow-up. It excludes any period of temporary treatment interruption. Temporary treatment interruption is defined as more than 2 consecutive missed doses (off-treatment period).
- Change in Amylase [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in amylase (measured as U/L) is presented as ratio to baseline. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from on-treatment observation period. On-treatment observation period: includes all time intervals in which participants are considered to be on treatment from the first (week 0) to last trial product administration (week 68) including 2 weeks of follow-up. It excludes any period of temporary treatment interruption. Temporary treatment interruption is defined as more than 2 consecutive missed doses (off-treatment period).
- Change in Lipase [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in lipase (measured as U/L) is presented as ratio to baseline. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from on-treatment observation period. On-treatment observation period: includes all time intervals in which participants are considered to be on treatment from the first (week 0) to last trial product administration (week 68) including 2 weeks of follow-up. It excludes any period of temporary treatment interruption. Temporary treatment interruption is defined as more than 2 consecutive missed doses (off-treatment period).
- Change in Calcitonin [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) to week 68 ]Change in calcitonin (measured as ng/L) is presented as ratio to baseline. The endpoint was evaluated based on the data from on-treatment observation period. On-treatment observation period: includes all time intervals in which participants are considered to be on treatment from the first (week 0) to last trial product administration (week 68) including 2 weeks of follow-up. It excludes any period of temporary treatment interruption. Temporary treatment interruption is defined as more than 2 consecutive missed doses (off-treatment period).

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male or female, age more than or equal to 18 years at the time of signing informed consent
- Body mass index more than or equal to 30 kg/m^2 or more than or equal to 27 kg/m^2 with the presence of at least one of the following weight-related comorbidities (treated or untreated): hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease
- History of at least one self-reported unsuccessful dietary effort to lose body weight
Exclusion Criteria:
- Hemoglobin A1c more than or equal to 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) as measured by the central laboratory at screening
- A self-reported change in body weight more than 5 kg (11 lbs) within 90 days before screening irrespective of medical records

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT03611582
United States, Alabama | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Montgomery, Alabama, United States, 36106 | |
United States, Arizona | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Peoria, Arizona, United States, 85381 | |
United States, California | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Anaheim, California, United States, 92801 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Escondido, California, United States, 92025 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Fresno, California, United States, 93720 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Fullerton, California, United States, 92835 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Huntington Beach, California, United States, 92648 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90057 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Walnut Creek, California, United States, 94598 | |
United States, Colorado | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Golden, Colorado, United States, 80401 | |
United States, Florida | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Kissimmee, Florida, United States, 34744 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Panama City, Florida, United States, 32401 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Plantation, Florida, United States, 33324 | |
United States, Georgia | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Roswell, Georgia, United States, 30076 | |
United States, Hawaii | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 96814 | |
United States, Illinois | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60607 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Evanston, Illinois, United States, 60201-2477 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Skokie, Illinois, United States, 60077 | |
United States, New York | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Albany, New York, United States, 12203 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Endwell, New York, United States, 13760 | |
United States, North Carolina | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27517 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Greensboro, North Carolina, United States, 27408 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Hickory, North Carolina, United States, 28601 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States, 27609 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States, 28401 | |
United States, Pennsylvania | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104-3317 | |
United States, South Carolina | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, United States, 29464 | |
United States, Tennessee | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, 37912 | |
United States, Texas | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Austin, Texas, United States, 78731 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Dallas, Texas, United States, 75226 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Dallas, Texas, United States, 75230 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Dallas, Texas, United States, 75231 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Rockwall, Texas, United States, 75032 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Round Rock, Texas, United States, 78681 | |
United States, Utah | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Saint George, Utah, United States, 84790 | |
United States, Virginia | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Arlington, Virginia, United States, 22206 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Newport News, Virginia, United States, 23606 | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Winchester, Virginia, United States, 22601-3834 | |
United States, Washington | |
Novo Nordisk Investigational Site | |
Olympia, Washington, United States, 98502 |
Study Director: | Clinical Reporting Anchor and Disclosure (1452) | Novo Nordisk A/S |
Documents provided by Novo Nordisk A/S:
Other Publications:
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Responsible Party: | Novo Nordisk A/S |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03611582 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
NN9536-4375 U1111-1200-8199 ( Other Identifier: World Health Organization (WHO) ) |
First Posted: | August 2, 2018 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | July 9, 2021 |
Last Update Posted: | November 11, 2021 |
Last Verified: | November 2021 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Yes |
Plan Description: | According to the Novo Nordisk disclosure commitment on novonordisk-trials.com |
URL: | http://novonordisk-trials.com |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | Yes |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Obesity Overweight Overnutrition Nutrition Disorders Body Weight |