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Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug, Wegovy, just delivered some strong heart health results—even as the company faces sales challenges in the US market.

In a new study, Wegovy users had a 57% lower risk of heart attack, stroke, or death compared to those using tirzepatide, a drug sold by rival Eli Lilly under the names Zepbound and Mounjaro.

These results came from a real-world study called STEER, which looked at the experiences of actual patients, not a lab test or controlled trial.

The study focused on people who were overweight or had obesity and also had heart disease, but did not have diabetes.

Only 0.1% of Wegovy users had serious heart events, compared to 0.4% of those on tirzepatide.

Even when researchers included people who missed doses, Wegovy still showed a 29% lower risk, ManilaTimes said.

"These results are clear," said Ludovic Helfgott, a top executive at Novo Nordisk. "Wegovy cuts the risk of heart attack, stroke or death by 57% compared to tirzepatide."

Wegovy Shows Heart Benefits, But Novo Faces Rough 2025

The findings add to earlier results from SELECT and SCORE trials, which also showed Wegovy's benefits for the heart.

According to Novo Nordisk, semaglutide—the ingredient in Wegovy—remains the only drug of its type proven to protect the heart in people with obesity and heart disease.

Still, the company isn't in the clear. According to CNBC, while Wegovy sales helped Novo Nordisk become one of Europe's most valuable companies in 2023, things have changed. Stock prices have dropped by over 40% in 2025, and US sales have slowed.

Challenges include growing competition from Eli Lilly, concerns about copycat versions of drugs, and political pressure from the White House to lower drug prices.

There are also worries about possible new tariffs and efforts to move drug production to the US.

Analysts say the new heart results are a boost, but not a game-changer yet. Michael Field, from Morningstar, said the data was "encouraging," but warned that rivals often catch up quickly in this fast-changing market.

In the US, demand for weight-loss drugs like Wegovy remains strong, but some experts believe growth may soon plateau, especially as competitors bring out oral pills instead of injections.

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