Liraglutide provides significantly better glucose control than insulin glargine in phase 3 study
COPENHAGEN, June 21, 2007-Novo Nordisk today announced clinical
results from the first of five phase 3 studies with liraglutide -
the once-daily human GLP-1 analogue. The 26-week study is part of
the LEAD(TM) (Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes) programme
and included 581 patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately
controlled by two of the most widely used oral antidiabetic drugs:
metformin and a sulfonylurea (glimepiride). All patients in the
study continued the two oral drugs and were randomised to add one
daily injection of liraglutide, placebo or insulin glargine.
The average HbA1c level at the beginning of the study was between
8.0% and 8.5% and at the end of the study, more than 50% of
patients in the liraglutide group had reached the American Diabetes
Association goal of HbA1c < 7%. Furthermore, more than 35%
achieved the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
HbA1c target of <= 6.5%. The HbA1c reduction achieved in the
liraglutide group was more than 0.2 percentage points better than
in the insulin glargine group, a difference which is statistically
significant.
The average weight of the patients at the beginning of the study
was approximately 85 kg. At the end of the study, the difference in
body weight between the liraglutide and insulin glargine treatment
groups was on average 3.5 kg, statistically significant in favour
of liraglutide.
Liraglutide in combination with metformin and glimepiride was well
tolerated. The most frequently reported adverse event in the
liraglutide arm was nausea at an absolute level of between 10 and
15%. As expected, the combination of a GLP-1 analogue with a
sulfonylurea leads to some of the patients experiencing
hypoglycaemia. The overall hypoglycaemia event rate in the
liraglutide and insulin glargine groups was not significantly
different.
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science
officer of Novo Nordisk, said: "We are very pleased with these
first results from the liraglutide phase 3 programme, showing that
liraglutide provides improved glucose control compared to insulin
glargine while, at the same time, leading to significant weight
loss."
Novo Nordisk expects to announce headline results from the
remaining four LEAD(TM) studies during the second half of 2007 and
the first quarter of 2008. Detailed results from the full LEAD(TM)
programme are expected to be published in peer reviewed journals
and communicated at future scientific meetings.
The results of the phase 3 trial do not change Novo Nordisk's
expectations for the company's financial results for 2007, which
were provided on 2 May in connection with the release of the
financial results for the first three months of 2007.
Conference call
At 12.30 pm CET today, corresponding to 6.30 am EDT, a conference
call for investors will be held. Investors will be able to listen
in via a link on novonordisk.com, which can be found under
'Investors - Download centre'.
About liraglutide, LEAD(TM) and HbA1c
Liraglutide is a once-daily human analogue of the naturally
occurring hormone Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1). The compound is
being developed by Novo Nordisk for the treatment of type 2
diabetes, and is currently in phase 3 development. Liraglutide
works by stimulating the release of insulin only when glucose
levels become too high. In contrast to most other antidiabetic
treatments liraglutide also leads to weight loss instead of weight
increase.
The LEAD(TM) programme (Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes)
is comprised of five randomised, controlled, double-blind studies
conducted in more than 40 countries. The programme includes around
3,800 patients with type 2 diabetes whose blood glucose is
inadequately controlled.
HbA1c is an abbreviation for glycated haemoglobin HbA1c. The level
of HbA1c reflects the average blood glucose level over the past 2-3
months and a decrease is therefore a measure of treatment effect.
The higher the blood glucose the more glucose binds to haemoglobin
(glycation).
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes
care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in
the industry, including the most advanced products within the area
of insulin delivery systems. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a
leading position within areas such as haemostasis management,
growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo
Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and
services that make a significant difference to patients, the
medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo
Nordisk employs more than 23,600 employees in 79 countries, and
markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are
listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'.
For more information, visit novonordisk.com.
Further information:
Media: Investors:
Outside North America: Outside North America:
Elin K Hansen Mads Veggerby Lausten
Tel (direct):
(+45) 4442 3450 Tel (direct):
(+45) 4443 7919
ekh@novonordisk.com
mlau@novonordisk.com
Katrine Sperling Hans Rommer
Tel (mobile):
(+45) 3079 6718 Tel (direct):
(+45) 4442 4765
krsp@novonordisk.com
hrmm@novonordisk.com
In North America: In North America:
Sean Clements Christian Qvist Frandsen
Tel (direct):
(+1) 609 514 8316 Tel (direct):
(+1) 609 919 7937
secl@novonordisk.com
cqfr@novonordisk.com
Posted: June 2007
