NovoNordisk Drug Demonstrates Superior Blood Sugar Control
By Ed Miseta, Chief Editor, Clinical Leader
NovoNordisk, the Denmark-based global leader in insulin production announced the results of its phase 3 trials of IDegLira, its new diabetes drug, at the World Diabetes Conference of the International Diabetes Federation. The results of the study indicate superior glycemic control and weight loss combined with a low incidence of hypoglycemia in adults with Type 2 Diabetes uncontrolled on basal insulin.
The new drug outperforms NovoNordisk’s own long-acting insulin, Tresibaâ. IDegLira is a combination of Tresibaâ and Victozaâ, the company’s glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) diabetes drug. GLP-1 drugs work by stimulating the release of insulin when blood sugar levels become too low. "Many patients are concerned about insulin-based therapies due to a fear of weight gain and hypoglycemia. In the DUAL II trial, IDegLira demonstrated spectacular HbA1c reductions with a weight loss of 2.7 kg for patients uncontrolled on basal insulin. To achieve this, with a low rate of hypoglycemia and few gastrointestinal adverse effects, is fantastic for this patient population," said Professor John Buse, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC.
The DUALä II study was a 26 week trial comprised of approximately 400 patients with Type 2 Diabetes uncontrolled on basal insulin. It compared the results of patients on IDegLira with those on insulin degludec (Tresibaâ), focusing on blood sugar control, weight loss and incidence of hypoglycemia.
NovoNordisk has been a leader in diabetes care for over 90 years, with additional focus on hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone-replacement therapy. The company employs approximately 37,000 people in 75 countries and markets its products in 180 countries.
Source: Reuters