Vanda Pharmaceuticals' Innovation That Reduces Wegovy Side Effects

Vanda Pharmaceuticals' Clinical Study on Wegovy

A Phase 2 clinical study conducted by Vanda Pharmaceuticals (VNDA) demonstrated that the company's oral treatment method tradipitant reduces side effects in patients using Novo Nordisk's (NVO) GLP-1-based weight loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide).

Details of the Clinical Study

The study included 116 participants. Participants received either 85 mg of tradipitant or a placebo twice a day, one week before the Wegovy injection. For the following week, participants continued to receive either tradipitant or a placebo alongside Wegovy treatment.

Results and Observations

According to the main findings of the study, 58.6% of participants in the placebo group reported nausea, while this rate decreased to 29.3% in the tradipitant group. Additionally, the rate of those reporting vomiting and nausea was 48.3% in the placebo group, whereas it fell to 22.4% in the tradipitant group. These findings demonstrate the efficacy and safety of Vanda's tradipitant drug.

Future Goals

Vanda Pharmaceuticals announced plans to advance this drug to Phase 3 clinical trials in the first half of 2026. This phase is significant as it represents one of the last stages before the drug is brought to market.

The company also acquired the drug from Eli Lilly (LLY) in 2012. This move is seen as an important strategy for Vanda to expand its product portfolio and offer innovative treatment options.