Novo Nordisk's Victoza shows diabetes potential beyond glucose control

Recent research results demonstrate that a new treatment approach to diabetes, GLP-1 analogues, not only helps to lower blood glucose levels, but has the added benefit of reducing body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, said Danish insulin giant Novo Nordisk (NVO. N), the maker of Victoza (liraglutide).

“What we saw at the 26 week mark was that those patients with type 2 diabetes being treated with liraglutide, a GLP-1 analogue, achieved significant reductions in both BMI and waist circumference,” says Bernard Zinman, Director, Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada, adding: “In this context, we continue to explore innovations in diabetes management.”

Findings of the study, The Human GLP-1 Analogue, Liraglutide, Improves BMI and Waist Circumference in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Meta-analysis of Six Phase III Trials, were presented at The Canadian Diabetes Association/The Canadian Society for Endocrinology and Metabolism Professional Conference and Annual Meetings that took place in Edmonton from last month