FDA approves Saxenda from Novo Nordisk

PLAINSBORO, N.J. — Novo Nordisk last week announced that the Food and Drug Administration approved the company's new drug application for Saxenda (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection). The once-daily glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist is used as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adults with obesity or who are overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition, the company stated. 

 

"Many people with obesity suffer from comorbidities. Saxenda has the potential to help some of these people achieve and maintain a clinically significant weight loss and improve certain risk factors of weight-related comorbidities," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, EVP and chief science officer of Novo Nordisk.

 

Approximately one-third of the adult population lives with obesity, the company stated, which can put them at risk to a number of health problems. 

 

"Obesity has many root causes and there is a clear need for additional treatment options to help health care professionals better address our patients' individual conditions and goals for weight management," said Dr. Donna Ryan, professor and associate executive director of clinical research at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. "The approval of Saxenda provides us with a new therapeutic approach for helping our patients achieve and maintain a healthier body weight." 

 

The company said it expects to launch Saxenda in the United States in the first half of 2015.