Novo Nordisk announced the decision to re-initiate the global phase 3 development programme of liraglutide for the treatment of obesity.

Following the US approval of Victoza for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Novo Nordisk has been in dialogue with the FDA regarding the further progression of the development programme investigating the potential of liraglutide within obesity. Based on the feedback from the FDA, Novo Nordisk now plans to re-initiate the global phase 3 programme in the first half of 2011 in clinical trials comprising approximately 5,000 patients.

The re-initiation of liraglutide obesity trials underlines Novo Nordisk's dedication to the development of the liraglutide portfolio, that is the cardiovascular outcomes trial for Victoza (LEADER), the obesity programme, the fixed-ratio combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide, and finally a once-weekly version of liraglutide.

Novo Nordisk remains committed to the development of a longer-acting GLP-1 analogue and now expects to outline the clinical development strategy for semaglutide, a once-weekly GLP-1 analogue, and the once-weekly version of liraglutide in the second half of 2011.

Once-daily Victoza is the first human GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) analogue developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Victoza lowers blood glucose by stimulating the release of insulin and lowering of glucagon secretion when blood sugar levels are high and also by slowing gastric emptying. Victoza also reduces body weight and body fat mass through mechanisms involving reduced hunger and lowered energy intake. Victoza is a once-daily injection taken any time of day independent of meals.

Novo Nordisk received marketing authorisation for Victoza on 30 June 2009 in the EU, 20 January 2010 in Japan and 25 January 2010 in the US. It has been launched in the US, Canada, Japan, India, UK, Germany, France and several other European markets.

LEADER (Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes: Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcome Results) is a long-term, multi-centre, international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3b trial which will include around 9,000 patients over a five-year period.

The trial will compare liraglutide added to standard of care with standard of care alone in people with type 2 diabetes.

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 87 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy.