New Data Supports Protective Vascular Effects of Semaglutide in T2D and PAD, with Subodh Verma, MD, PhD

"Unexpected, unanticipated and entirely novel effects of a GLP-1 RA such as semaglutide in this population" - Subodh Verma, MD, PhD

Semaglutide has demonstrated promising benefits on symptoms, quality of life, and disease progression in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), in new data from the STRIDE trial.

These findings were presented at the 2025 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, held June 20-23, in Chicago, Illinois.by Subodh Verma, MD, PhD, cardiac surgeon-scientist and Professor at University of Toronto and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery, at the 2025 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, held June 20-23, in Chicago, Illinois.

Over 52 weeks, Verma and colleagues found that semaglutide (n = 396) was associated with a significant improvement in maximum walking distance compared to placebo (n = 396). The semaglutide group had a median ratio from baseline in maximum walking distance of 1.21 compared to 1.08 in the placebo group. Participants in the semaglutide group also had a 54% risk reduction in a composite disease progression endpoint which included deaths, major adverse limb events, or the need for rescue medication. Semaglutide was well tolerated, with findings in line with its known safety profile.

HCPLive spoke with Verma during the conference to learn more about the landmark findings from STRIDE. He discussed how these the new findings have added to the literature on semaglutide and GLP-1 receptor agonists in the field. He emphasized the burgeoning role of semaglutide as a protective vascular medication, which, while it does need to be further corroborated, represents a breakthrough for this class of drugs.

"This really adds to the overall sort of thesis that these are vascular drugs, that these are drugs that are not necessarily just therapies for weight or a1c that the benefits transcend those effects on weight and... are probably mediated through, cardiometabolic risk factor modification, potentially direct vascular effects, and they should really be viewed as vascular medications, in addition to the plethora of benefits that we already have seen with this class of medication," Verma told HCPLive.

Verma’s disclosures include Abbott, Amarin, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer.

REFERENCE

Verma S. Rationale and Key Results from STRIDE Trial. Presented at: ADA 2025; June 20-23; Chicago, Illinois.