Semaglutide (USAN; trade name Ozempic) is a pharmaceutical drug in development by a Danish company Novo Nordisk for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is marketed by the name Ozempic. As a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, it lowers the blood sugar level by increasing the production of insulin.It was discovered in 2012, by a team of researchers at Novo Nordisk as a longer-acting alternative to liraglutide. Clinical trials were started in 2015, and phase 3 was completed in 2016. FDA approval was applied in December 2016, and in October 2017 FDA Advisory Committee voted 16-0 in favour. It can be used as both injection-type or oral-type drug.
Researchers at the University of Leeds reported in 2017 that it can also be used for the treatment of obesity. It reduces hunger, food craving and body fat.