European medical updates: Semaglutide guidelines and new cholesterol drugs

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC), in collaboration with the European Renal Association (ERA), has released updated guidelines recognizing semaglutide as a recommended therapy for reducing the risk of renal progression and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease.

Data from the FLOW clinical trial, involving 3,533 patients, demonstrated that weekly subcutaneous semaglutide reduced the risk of primary renal composite endpoints by 24% compared to a placebo. The study also showed a significant reduction in the rate of eGFR decline and a decrease in major cardiovascular events.

In a separate regulatory development, the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for two new oral cholesterol-lowering drugs, Ubeslo (obicetrapib 10 mg monotherapy) and Evlarco (a fixed-dose combination of obicetrapib and ezetimibe). Developed by NewAmsterdam Pharma and Menarini Group, these treatments are intended for adults with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia. Phase 3 clinical trials indicated that obicetrapib monotherapy could reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 40%, while the combination therapy achieved reductions of approximately 50% compared to placebo.

Additionally, the Italian Ministry of Health is preparing a decree to establish a National Diabetes Registry. Supported by the Federazione delle Società Diabetologiche Italiane (FeSDI), the registry aims to standardize data on diabetes prevalence, incidence, and treatment outcomes to improve healthcare planning and research in Italy.