Novo Nordisk's oral diabetes drug cuts heart-related risks by 14% in study

(Reuters) - Novo Nordisk said on Monday an oral version of its drug semaglutide, helped significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients in a late-stage study.

The drug, Rybelsus, helped reduce the risk of these events, including cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack and stroke, by 14% compared to placebo, meeting the main goal of the trial.

The study tested the drug as an adjunct to standard of care in 9,650 patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease and/or chronic kidney disease, the company said.

Novo expects to file for a label expansion for Rybelsus in the United States and the European Union around the turn of the year.

The drugmaker said detailed results from the study will be presented at a scientific conference next year.

(Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)