Novo Nordisk’s Tresiba shows quality of life benefits in new study

Novo Nordisk has announced results from a one-year extension trial that demonstrate the benefits of its diabetes drug Tresiba.

Results from the Begin Once Long trial extension showed that type 2 diabetes patients receiving Tresiba experienced statistically significant improvements in health-related quality of life compared to patients receiving a leading alternative therapy.

Tresiba patients saw improvements in physical functioning – making it easier for them to walk and get dressed – and less bodily pain interfering with daily activities, while they also experienced lower rates of nocturnal confirmed hypoglycaemia.

The phase IIIa Begin trial programme commenced in 2010 in order to support regulatory applications for Tresiba, which has now been approved in the EU and several other territories.

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice-president and chief science officer of Novo Nordisk, said: "The data presented shows that Tresiba is able to effectively maintain glycaemic control whilst demonstrating significant physical health benefits."

This comes after the firm reported real-world study data that demonstrated the benefits of its diabetes drug Victoza earlier this week.