A Research Study to Compare Two Doses of Semaglutide Taken Once Weekly in People With Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN FORTE)
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03989232 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : June 18, 2019
Results First Posted : October 22, 2021
Last Update Posted : February 13, 2023
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- Study Results
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 | Drug: Semaglutide Drug: Placebo (semaglutide) | Phase 3 |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 961 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Masking Description: | Sponsor staff involved in the clinical trial is masked according to company standard procedures |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide 2.0 mg s.c. Once-weekly Compared to Semaglutide 1.0 mg s.c. Once-weekly in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes |
Actual Study Start Date : | June 19, 2019 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | September 18, 2020 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | November 9, 2020 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Semaglutide 2.0 mg
All participants will receive one injection per week during a 12-week dose escalation period, until the target dose for semaglutide 2.0 mg is reached. From week 13 to week 40, semaglutide will be given in two weekly injections of 1.0 mg each.
|
Drug: Semaglutide
Semaglutide injected subcutaneously (s.c., under the skin) once-weekly. Participants will keep taking their pre-study diabetes tablets throughout the study. |
Active Comparator: Semaglutide 1.0 mg
All participants will receive one injection per week during a 12-week dose escalation period. From week 13 to week 40, the 1.0 mg group will receive an additional injection of semaglutide placebo in order to maintain the blinding.
|
Drug: Semaglutide
Semaglutide injected subcutaneously (s.c., under the skin) once-weekly. Participants will keep taking their pre-study diabetes tablets throughout the study. Drug: Placebo (semaglutide) Semaglutide placebo injected once-weekly from week 13 to week 40. |
- Change in HbA1c [ Time Frame: Week 0, week 40 ]
Change from baseline (week 0) to week 40 in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was evaluated.
Results are based on the 'on-treatment without rescue medication' observation period, which started at the date of first dose of trial product to either first initiation of rescue medication or the day of last dose of trial product, whichever came first; and 'In-trial' observation period which started at the date of randomisation and ended at the first of the following dates, both inclusive: end-of-treatment visit (week 40), death, participant withdrew informed consent, last contact for participant lost to follow-up.
- Change in Body Weight [ Time Frame: Week 0, week 40 ]Change from baseline (week 0) to week 40 in body weight was evaluated. Results are based on the 'on-treatment without rescue medication' observation period, which started at the date of first dose of trial product to either first initiation of rescue medication or the day of last dose of trial product, whichever came first; and 'In-trial' observation period which started at the date of randomisation and ended at the first of the following dates, both inclusive: end-of-treatment visit (week 40), death, participant withdrew informed consent, last contact for participant lost to follow-up.
- Change in Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) [ Time Frame: Week 0, week 40 ]Change from baseline (week 0) to week 40 in FPG was evaluated. Results are based on the 'on-treatment without rescue medication' observation period, which started at the date of first dose of trial product to either first initiation of rescue medication or the day of last dose of trial product, whichever came first.
- Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) [ Time Frame: Week 0, week 40 ]Change from baseline (week 0) to week 40 in BMI was evaluated. Results are based on the 'on-treatment without rescue medication' observation period, which started at the date of first dose of trial product to either first initiation of rescue medication or the day of last dose of trial product, whichever came first.
- Change in Waist Circumference [ Time Frame: Week 0, week 40 ]Change from baseline (week 0) to week 40 in waist circumference was evaluated. Results are based on the 'on-treatment without rescue medication' observation period, which started at the date of first dose of trial product to either first initiation of rescue medication or the day of last dose of trial product, whichever came first.
- Participants Who Achieved HbA1c < 7.0% [ Time Frame: Week 40 ]Percentage of participants who achieved HbA1c < 7.0% is presented. Results are based on the 'on-treatment without rescue medication' observation period, which started at the date of first dose of trial product to either first initiation of rescue medication or the day of last dose of trial product, whichever came first. Missing HbA1c assessment at week 40 was imputed using observed data from participants within same treatment group.
- Participants Who Achieved HbA1c ≤ 6.5% [ Time Frame: Week 40 ]Percentage of participants who achieved HbA1c ≤ 6.5% is presented. Results are based on the 'on-treatment without rescue medication' observation period, which started at the date of first dose of trial product to either first initiation of rescue medication or the day of last dose of trial product, whichever came first. Missing HbA1c assessment at week 40 was imputed using observed data from participants within same treatment group.
- Participants Who Achieved Weight Loss ≥5% [ Time Frame: Week 40 ]Percentage of participants who achieved weight loss ≥5% is presented. Results are based on the 'on-treatment without rescue medication' observation period, which started at the date of first dose of trial product to either first initiation of rescue medication or the day of last dose of trial product, whichever came first. Missing body weight assessment at week 40 was imputed using observed data from participants within same treatment group.
- Participants Who Achieved Weight Loss ≥10% [ Time Frame: Week 40 ]Percentage of participants who achieved weight loss ≥10% is presented. Results are based on the 'on-treatment without rescue medication' observation period, which started at the date of first dose of trial product to either first initiation of rescue medication or the day of last dose of trial product, whichever came first. Missing body weight assessment at week 40 was imputed using observed data from participants within same treatment group.
- Number of Treatment-emergent Severe or Blood Glucose (BG) Confirmed Symptomatic Hypoglycaemic Episodes [ Time Frame: Week 0 to week 47 ]Hypoglycaemic episodes defined as treatment-emergent if the onset of the episode occurs within the on-treatment observation period. Severe or BG-confirmed symptomatic hypoglycaemia is an episode that required assistance from another person for recovery and blood glucose-confirmed by a plasma glucose value <3.1 mmol/L (56 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)) with symptoms consistent with hypoglycaemia. Results are based on the 'on-treatment' observation period, which started at the date of first dose of trial product and ended at the first date of any of the following: the follow-up visit (week 47), the treatment discontinuation follow-up visit (end of treatment + 7 weeks), the date of last dose of trial product +49 days or the end-date for the 'in-trial' observation period.
- Change in Pulse Rate [ Time Frame: Week 0, week 40 ]Change from baseline (week 0) to week 40 in pulse rate is presented. Results are based on the 'on-treatment' observation period, which started at the date of first dose of trial product and ended at the endpoint-specific end-date.

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 equal to or above18 years at the time of signing informed consent
- Diagnosed with T2D at least 180 days prior to the day of screening
- HbA1c of 8-10% (64-86 mmol/mol) (both inclusive)
- Stable daily dose(s) for 90 days prior to the day of screening of:
- Any metformin formulations (equal to or above1500 mg or maximum tolerated or effective dose) alone or in combination with sulfonylureas (SU) (equal to or above half of the maximum approved dose according to local label or maximum tolerated or effective dose)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Treatment with any medication for the indication of diabetes or obesity other than stated in the inclusion criteria within the past 90 days prior to the day of screening. However, short term insulin treatment for a maximum of 14 days prior to the day of screening is allowed, as is prior insulin treatment for gestational diabetes
- Renal impairment measured as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) value of <30 mL/min/1.73 m^2 according to the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKDEPI) creatinine equation as defined by KDIGO 2012 classification
- Uncontrolled and potentially unstable diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy. Verified by a fundus examination performed within the past 90 days prior to screening or in the period between screening and randomisation. Pharmacological pupil-dilation is a requirement unless using a digital fundus photography camera specified for non-dilated examination

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): NCT03989232

Study Director: | Clinical Reporting Anchor and Disclosure (1452) | Novo Nordisk A/S |
Documents provided by Novo Nordisk A/S:
Responsible Party: | Novo Nordisk A/S |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT03989232 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
NN9535-4506 U1111-1224-5162 ( Other Identifier: World Health Organization (WHO) ) 2018-004529-96 ( Registry Identifier: European Medicines Agency (EudraCT) ) |
First Posted: | June 18, 2019 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | October 22, 2021 |
Last Update Posted: | February 13, 2023 |
Last Verified: | February 2023 |
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 |
Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Glucose Metabolism Disorders Metabolic Diseases Endocrine System Diseases |