Novo Nordisk defended its next-generation obesity drug candidate CagriSema on Wednesday following late-stage trial data published in December that disappointed investors and wiped $125 billion from its market value.

In fact, Novo Nordisk recently reported positive results for one of its anti-obesity candidates that puts its current best-selling drug in this area, Wegovy, to shame. Let's look deeper into these results and what they could mean for investors.

Novo’s newest GLP-1, CagriSema, is the first big test of Novo Nordisk’s future as the leader in the obesity treatment market. The drug is more potent than Ozempic and Wegovy, expanding treatment to heavier patients while perhaps reducing treatment times for other individuals.

Novo Nordisk is under pressure from investors for more information about its next-generation obesity drug candidate CagriSema amid a lack of clarity over trial results that hammered its shares in December.

The Danish maker of Ozempic and Wegovy reported a 25 percent increase in sales to $40.6 billion, but said it expected slower growth this year.

Ozempic and Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk quieted Wall Street's concerns with its fourth-quarter results and 2025 outlook.

The drugmaker expects the regulator to remove Wegovy and Ozempic from its shortage list, blocking other companies from legally selling cheap knockoff versions.