Novo Nordisk study shows cost-effectiveness benefits of Xultophy

Novo Nordisk has announced data from a UK study showing the cost-effectiveness benefits of its type 2 diabetes therapy Xultophy.

Health economics and outcomes research findings have been presented at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference in Glasgow, showing the advantages the treatment can provide compared to current insulin intensification treatment options.

It was shown that daily administration of Xultophy cost less in total and was more effective compared to separate injections of liraglutide added to basal insulin, or compared to basal-bolus regimens.

The drug was also cost-effective compared to up-titration of insulin glargine, with a cost of 6,090 pounds per quality-adjusted life year gained – well below the UK threshold of 20,000 to 30,000 pounds used by NICE.

Melanie Davies, professor of diabetes medicine at the University of Leicester, said: "It is useful for clinicians that cost-effective combination treatments such as IDegLira are available, as they have been shown to help patients achieve optimal glycaemic targets and may help prevent complications."

Xultophy is a once-daily single-injection combination of Tresiba and Victoza. It has been approved in Europe since September 2014.