Novo Nordisk announces new once-daily treatment for Type 2 diabetes

PRINCETON, N.J. A new injectable Novo Nordisk drug for diabetes is on the shelves, the Danish drug maker announced Tuesday.

Novo Nordisk announced the availability of Victoza (liraglutide [rDNA origin]), a once-daily treatment for Type 2 diabetes. The drug is a human glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, belonging to the same class as Byetta (exenatide), by Eli Lilly & Co., Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Alkermes. Victoza is designed for use in conjunction with diet and exercise to control blood sugar, either alone or with other diabetes drugs.

“Novo Nordisk is proud to offer a new treatment option for Type 2 diabetes patients who have been unsuccessful at controlling their blood sugar,” Novo Nordisk president Jerzy Gruhn said in a statement. “Victoza provides a once-a-day treatment that not only lowers blood sugar, but helps to reduce weight.”

The drug has approval in Japan, the European Union, Scandinavia and Mexico and awaits approval in China.