Novo Nordisk ( NYSE:NVO ) shares are rallying 6.87% to $86.67 as of 10:27 AM ET Friday, after the company reported promising trial results for its new obesity drug, amycretin.

In a Phase 1b/2a trial, amycretin led to up to 22% weight loss over 36 weeks, showing a safety profile similar to Novo's semaglutide and Eli Lilly's ( NYSE:LLY ) tirzepatide. The 125-subject study evaluated the drug's safety, tolerability, and effectiveness in overweight and obese individuals. Patients taking 1.25 mg for 20 weeks lost 9.7% of their weight, those on 5 mg for 28 weeks lost 16.2%, and the 20 mg group at 36 weeks saw 22% weight loss.

Meanwhile, those in the placebo group gained between 1.9% and 2.3%. Novo also tested an oral version of amycretin last year, showing similar weight-loss effects. Martin Lange, Novo's head of drug development, said the results reinforce amycretin's potential as a next-generation obesity treatment.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus .