EU approves higher dose of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy

Feb 17 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO said on Tuesday the European Commission has approved a higher dose of its popular obesity drug Wegovy, providing patients and doctors with an option that may support greater weight loss.

The decision follows a positive recommendation from the European Union's drug regulator in December for the drug's 7.2 milligram dose.

With the approval, doctors in the EU may now prescribe the 7.2 mg dosage as three 2.4 mg injections, to be taken in one sitting, once a week, the Danish drugmaker said.

In a 72-week late-stage trial involving 1,407 adults without diabetes, participants on the 7.2 mg dose lost an average of 20.7% of body weight, compared with 17.5% for the 2.4 mg dose.

Novo has also applied for an EU approval of a 7.2 mg single-dose pen. If approved, this could be available this year, the company said.