Research · Source update
CagriSema analysis reports 25% average weight loss among women in REDEFINE 1
Source context: Read the linked original research or registry entry for study status and limitations.
A new analysis of the phase 3 REDEFINE 1 trial asks a question many patients have: does weight-loss treatment work differently before, during and after menopause? At The Menopause Society meeting, Novo Nordisk reported that women in the trial receiving investigational CagriSema lost an average of 25.0% of body weight at 68 weeks under an analysis assuming treatment adherence, compared with 3.0% for placebo. The findings were announced October 20, 2026.
What did the researchers report?
In a post-hoc analysis of 2,309 women with obesity or overweight, once-weekly investigational CagriSema 2.4 mg/2.4 mg was associated with 25.0% mean weight reduction at week 68, compared with 3.0% with placebo, using an efficacy estimand that assumes participants stayed on assigned treatment. This is not the full-trial mean for every randomized participant.
Did results differ around menopause?
In the reported post-hoc subgroup analysis, mean weight reductions with CagriSema were 26.7% in premenopausal women, 24.8% in perimenopausal women and 23.1% in postmenopausal women. These observations do not establish that menopause causes the difference. Subgroups can vary for reasons other than hormonal stage, and smaller samples introduce uncertainty.
What is CagriSema?
CagriSema combines semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, with cagrilintide, an investigational long-acting amylin analogue, in a once-weekly injection. It is being developed for weight management and other uses. It should not be described as an FDA-approved weight-loss option on the basis of this analysis.
How does this compare with the headline trial result?
The 25.0% figure is a subgroup efficacy-estimand result in women, not the approximately 22.7% mean reduction previously reported for the broader REDEFINE 1 population. A subgroup headline can look different from the primary overall trial result without being inconsistent. Results also depend on assumptions for participants who discontinue therapy.
What about waist size and safety?
Novo reported reductions in waist circumference across female menopause-stage subgroups, consistent with reductions in abdominal size. The announcement does not provide enough new safety detail to conclude that any subgroup has fewer adverse effects. Review the original trial publication and prescribing information when available before drawing conclusions about an individual treatment.
What should patients take away?
The results support further investigation into weight-loss outcomes across menopause stages. They do not mean women should expect a 25% result, nor do they support choosing or changing medication without professional guidance. MyDosePro will treat this as exploratory evidence, separate from approved medication comparisons.
The bottom line
The 25% estimate refers to a subgroup of women and a particular efficacy analysis, not all REDEFINE 1 participants. Findings across menopause stages are exploratory, and CagriSema remains investigational.
Written and published by MyDosePro as an educational explanation of publicly available evidence. The linked primary source is dated 2026-10-20. We identify trial registrations separately from published results and do not provide individual prescribing advice.
Primary sourceNovo Nordisk: REDEFINE 1 post-hoc analyses presented at The Menopause Society 2026 ↗
Additional evidenceSource event or update: 2026-10-20. Our interpretation is educational and does not replace medical or insurance advice.