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Who is doing the study?

ASCEND PLUS is coordinated and sponsored by the University of Oxford, and run with support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research. NHS research staff from across the UK are helping to run the study.

Novo Nordisk produces oral semaglutide and is providing the treatment for the study free of charge. Novo Nordisk has given a grant to the University of Oxford to help with the cost of running of the study but is not directly involved with either coordinating the study or analysing the results.

Can I join this study?

Yes, potentially, if you:

  • have received a written invitation from the ASCEND PLUS study team
  • are aged 55 years or above
  • have type 2 diabetes mellitus.

If you have a history of any of the following, you are not able to join the trial:

  • previous heart attack or stroke
  • current or planned treatment with oral semaglutide or similar type of drug: Semaglutide injections (Ozempic ® or Wegovy ®); Dulaglutide (Trulicity ®); Exenatide (Byetta ®); Liraglutide (Victoza ® or Saxenda®); Lixisenatide (Lyxumia ®) 
  • previous allergy or intolerance to oral semaglutide or similar type of drug
  • low blood sugar (a ‘hypo’) for which you have needed help from another person (e.g. if you had to go to A&E or needed emergency treatment from a paramedic, friend or relative) in the last 6 months
  • low blood sugar (a ‘hypo’) causing symptoms in the past month
  • are in the process of starting insulin treatment
  • current or planned kidney dialysis
  • severe heart failure with difficulty breathing at rest
  • type 1 diabetes or other types of diabetes (e.g. Mature Onset Diabetes of the Young, MODY)
  • ongoing treatment for cancer, or a diagnosis of cancer within the last two years (some skin cancers do not affect ability to join the trial)
  • current or planned pregnancy or currently breastfeeding
  • a particular type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer – if you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer you can speak to a study doctor to check whether you could join the trial
  • any serious medical condition which is likely to make it difficult for you to take part
  • current participation in a clinical trial which is testing an unlicensed medication for diabetes.

To speak to one of the study doctors or nurses about whether you are able to join the trial, please contact the ASCEND PLUS team. 

Find out more

Read this information leaflet for further details.