Novo Nordisk announces phase III liraglutide trial results

Novo Nordisk has announced the results of the fourth if its five phase III clinical trials assessing liraglutide as part of its Lead programme measuring the effect and action of the compound in diabetes patients.

This study explored the use of the drug in conjunction with rosiglitazone and metformin in 533 patients with type two diabetes.

From a starting average HbA1c level of 8.5 per cent at the beginning of the study, over half the patients reached the goal of a HbA1c level of less than seven per cent, with a near 1.5 per cent reduction compared to the baseline figure

Additionally, a weight difference of approximately 2.5 kg in favour of liraglutide was found in the study, with the starting average body weight of just over 95 kg.

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice-president and chief science officer of Novo Nordisk, said: “The new clinical results confirm the strong efficacy data in terms of glucose control with a low risk of hypoglycaemia together with weight loss that we have seen in the previously announced phase II trials.”

He added that, with around 85 per cent of results from the Lead programme now available, the company is confident that liraglutide will be developed as a new treatment option for type two diabetes patients.

Last month, Novo Nordisk announced the publication of the results of the Lead 1 and Lead 2 studies, with liraglutide showing improvements in glucose control when compared to rosiglitazone and enhanced HbA1c compared to patients administered with glimepride respectively.