CagriSema Alters Food-Cue Responses, Reduces Organ Fat in New Analyses

Investigational CagriSema changed brain responses to high-calorie food cues and reduced reported cravings in adults with overweight or obesity, alongside an estimated 22.4% body-weight difference versus placebo at 52 weeks, according to data presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting 2026. Separate analyses in adults with type 2 diabetes found reductions in abdominal and organ fat, while exploratory bone biomarker findings remained preliminary, Novo Nordisk announced September 30.¹

"For many people with overweight or obesity, we know that ‘food noise’ is an ongoing challenge to achieving health goals. Based on this brain scan (fMRI) data, we are encouraged by the potential of CagriSema to help reduce measurable ‘food noise’ coupled with a 22.4% reduction in body weight after 52 weeks,” Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president, chief scientific officer and head of Research & Development at Novo, said in the press release. “At the same time, people living with overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes are increasingly looking beyond the amount of weight lost to the quality of that weight loss. The data presented at EASD 2026 add to emerging evidence that the amylin component of CagriSema may influence disease biology across the brain and multiple organs beyond weight loss alone.”¹

CagriSema is a once-weekly fixed-dose combination of cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin receptor agonist, and semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist. The therapy is under FDA review for weight management and is also being studied for type 2 diabetes.¹

Food-Cue Responses and Eating Behavior

In a 52-week functional MRI study of adults with overweight or obesity, investigators assessed brain responses to images of high-calorie foods. CagriSema altered activity in regions associated with reward, sensory processing, and behavioral control, according to Novo Nordisk. Participants also reported less hunger, appetite, food preoccupation, and cravings, and greater craving control at weeks 22 and 52. The company reported an estimated treatment difference in body weight of 22.4% compared to placebo at week 52 (P < .0001).¹˒²

The findings link changes in food-cue responses with weight loss but do not establish that altered brain activity caused the weight reduction.

Organ Fat and Bone Biomarkers in Type 2 Diabetes

An MRI substudy of the 40-week phase 3a REIMAGINE 1 trial evaluated body composition in adults with early type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with diet and exercise. CagriSema 2.4 mg/2.4 mg reduced abdominal fat and fat in and around the liver and pancreas compared with placebo, alongside a 14.3% reduction in body weight at week 40, Novo reported. The parent trial enrolled 189 participants; the release did not state how many underwent MRI or quantify the organ-fat differences.¹˒³

In a separate post hoc analysis of REIMAGINE 2, investigators assessed bone biomarkers in adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin, with or without a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor. Novo described biomarker changes suggesting bone remodeling alongside a 14.2% body-weight reduction with CagriSema 2.4 mg/2.4 mg at week 68. The parent trial enrolled 2713 adults, but the release did not report the size of the biomarker analysis or provide fracture or bone mineral density results.¹˒⁴

Taken together, the conference findings examine outcomes beyond weight and glycemia, but the 3 analyses involve different populations and measures. The imaging results do not establish a clinical benefit independent of weight loss, and bone biomarkers cannot determine whether fracture risk changes. Novo submitted a US new drug application for CagriSema for weight management in December 2025 and said it expects an FDA decision in the fourth quarter of 2026.¹

References

1. Novo Nordisk. Novo’s investigational obesity and diabetes drug CagriSema reduces ‘food noise’ and shows benefits in organ and bone health – EASD 2026. News release. Published September 30, 2026. Accessed September 30, 2026. https://www.novonordisk.com/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=917138
2. Uhre VF, Alex M, Bak N, et al. Effects of CagriSema on appetite, eating behaviour and food cue reactivity using functional MRI in adults with overweight or obesity. Abstract 122. Presented at: EASD Annual Meeting 2026; September 28–October 2, 2026; Milan, Italy.
3. Pratley RE, Adhya R, Casu A, et al. Efficacy of CagriSema on body composition in participants with early type 2 diabetes: REIMAGINE 1. Late-breaking abstract 11. Presented at: EASD Annual Meeting 2026; September 28–October 2, 2026; Milan, Italy.
4. Haluzík M, Fabricius TW, Gajria R, et al. Effect of CagriSema on bone biomarkers in participants with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes: REIMAGINE 2. Late-breaking abstract 85. Presented at: EASD Annual Meeting 2026; September 28–October 2, 2026; Milan, Italy.