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Approved medicine

Semaglutide Research Evidence: The Key Trials

A structured map of the registrational and outcome-trial evidence base for semaglutide — the trials a reader should recognize by name.

SUSTAIN program

The pivotal type 2 diabetes series (SUSTAIN 1–7) establishing HbA1c and weight efficacy versus placebo and comparators, including head-to-head wins against sitagliptin, exenatide ER, and dulaglutide.

STEP program

The obesity series. STEP 1 (n=1,961): −14.9% versus −2.4% placebo over 68 weeks. STEP 4 demonstrated maintenance-with-treatment; STEP 8 compared directly against tirzepatide (see the comparison page).

SELECT

The cardiovascular outcomes trial in overweight/obesity with established cardiovascular disease without diabetes, reporting reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events.

Where the literature goes next

Active research areas include oral formulation optimization, outcomes in additional populations (e.g., heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, MASH, sleep apnea), and discontinuation/rebound management.

Educational content only — not medical advice. Dosing and treatment decisions belong with the approved label and a prescriber.

References

  1. Wilding JPH, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med 2021. [source]
  2. Drucker DJ. Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Application of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1. Cell Metab 2018. [source]
  3. ClinicalTrials.gov — registered semaglutide studies. [source]
EM
Dr. Elena Marsh, PhDMolecular Pharmacology · Lead Editor

Written and maintained by the editorial team. Medically reviewed by Dr. James Okafor, MD (Internal Medicine).

Evidence tier: Approved medicine · Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Sources cited below.

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