US Pharm. 2013;38(6):18.

Copenhagen, Denmark—Results from a phase III trial of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug liraglutide found that patients lost an average of 8% of their body weight compared to 2.6% for those taking a placebo. The injectable medication, currently marketed under the brand name Victoza as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, is in its final stage of clinical trials as a treatment for obesity. Novo Nordisk expects to complete testing later this year and plans to submit liraglutide for regulatory review in the United States and Europe in early 2014. “These data…consistently demonstrate clinically significant weight loss and improvements in obesity-related risk factors in people with obesity,” stated Chief Science Officer Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen.

To comment on this article, contact rdavidson@uspharmacist.com.