Novo Nordisk demonstrates cost-effectiveness of Xultophy

Danish diabetes care giant Novo Nordisk (NOV: N) has presented new data showing that, on average, in the UK, daily administration of Xultophy (insulin degludec/liraglutide; IDegLira), costs less in total and was more effective compared to the separate injections of liraglutide added to basal insulin or compared to basal-bolus regimens.

The study, which was presented at Diabetes UK Professional Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, today, showed that Xultophy was also cost-effective versus up-titration of insulin glargine U100, with a cost of £6,090 ($8,489) per quality-adjusted life year [QALY] gained, which is well below the UK threshold of £20,000 to £30,000 used by the UK’s drugs cost watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

The analysis assessed the cost-effectiveness of IDegLira compared to an up-titration of insulin glargine U100, separate injections of liraglutide added to basal insulin (insulin glargine U100 or insulin detemir), or insulin glargine U100 in combination with three daily injections of insulin aspart (basal-bolus).This analysis was performed from the perspective of the UK NHS over a lifetime horizon.