IDegLira Maintains Efficacy In Phase 3A Diabetes Study, Says Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk reported that its investigational diabetes drug IDegLira maintained its efficacy in lowering glucose levels and confirmed its safety profile for up to one year in a Phase IIIA study.

IDegLira combines insulin degludec, a once-daily basal insulin analogue with a prolonged duration of action, and liraglutide, a once-daily human GLP-1 analogue, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The drug is marketed under the brand name Tresiba in several countries including Japan, Russia, and the EU.

In the DUAL (DUal Action of Liraglutide and Insulin Degludec in Type 2 Diabetes) I extension trial, IDegLira’s safety and efficacy were compared with insulin degludec and liraglutide 1.8 mg alone in insulin-naïve T2D patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled on metformin with or without pioglitazone. The drug demonstrated a statistically meaningful, sustained blood glucose reduction from baseline compared to either monotherapy. Patients on the IDegLira treatment also reported stable daily insulin dose and a lower rate of hypoglycemia compared to insulin degludec.

According to the World Health Organization, diabetes affects 347 million around the world. By 2030, the disease is predicted to be the seventh leading cause of death globally. Hyperglycemia is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and may lead to serious damage to many of the body's systems over time.

“Maintaining glycemic control as diabetes progresses is an ongoing problem as patients fear initiating new therapies that may increase the risk of side effects such as weight gain and hypoglycemia. All of the IDegLira data presented here at ADA indicate that this treatment can address these patient concerns,” said Professor John Buse from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.

The company announced that it will present 63 abstracts featuring safety and efficacy data from its diabetes treatments pipeline at the fourth Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in San Francisco, California this month. The presentation will include information on IDegLira as well as liraglutide among others.