Novo Nordisk Reveals Positive Data on Victoza 3 mg - Analyst Blog

Novo Nordisk A/S's NVO Victoza (liraglutide 3 mg) showed statistically significant results in the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase IIIa SCALE Diabetes study (n=846) for chronic weight management.

Victoza (once-daily), along with proper diet and physical activity, showed greater improvements in risk factors related to cardiovascular (CV) disease in addition to clinically significant weight loss, at 56 weeks compared with placebo, in type II diabetes patients who are overweight or suffering from obesity.

In the study, the patients treated with Victoza 3 mg achieved a mean weight loss of 5.9% compared to 2% in patients treated with placebo. Novo Nordisk said that the waist circumference of the patients decreased 6.0 cm and 4.9 cm following treatment with Victoza 3 mg and Victoza 1.8 mg respectively, compared to placebo (which achieved a reduction of 2.8 cm). In this study, Victoza 3 mg showed greater weight loss in patients than Victoza 1.8 mg.

Additionally, Victoza 3 mg and 1.8 mg led to a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and improvement in inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (a good predictor of CV disease), compared to placebo. Victoza 3 mg also showed improvement in total cholesterol and fasting lipid levels in the patients.

We note that a phase IIIa SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes study showed that the number of obese patients with normal blood glucose at baseline who progressed to prediabetes, following treatment with Victoza 3 mg, was significantly fewer than placebo. Victoza 3 mg improved a wide range of CV disease risk markers in the patients.

Novo Nordisk presented the above data at the International Congress of Endocrinology ICE and the Endocrine Society's meeting (ENDO).

Victoza 3 mg is currently under review in the U.S. and the EU. Novo Nordisk is looking to get Victoza 3mg approved for chronic weight management in obese/overweight adults with comorbidities, as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Victoza is already approved at lower doses as an adjunct to diet and exercise for treating adults suffering from type II diabetes to improve blood glucose control.

We are pleased to see Novo Nordisk's progress with its diabetes drug. Novo Nordisk carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Allergan Inc. AGN, Gilead Sciences Inc. GILD and Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. Q. While Allergan and Gilead hold a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Quintiles carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).