Novo Nordisk drug produces significant weight loss in study

BAGSVÆRD, Denmark — A drug made by Novo Nordisk for Type 2 diabetes produced a 6% loss of weight in a trial of the drug in obese patients, the company said.

The Danish drug maker announced results of a 56-week phase-3 trial to investigate the potential of Victoza (liraglutide) to produce and maintain weight loss in overweight and obese patients with Type 2 diabetes.

The trial enrolled 846 overweight and obese people who received 3 mg of Victoza, 1.8 mg of Victoza or placebo. Patients were followed for 12 weeks after the study ended at 56 weeks. Patients treated with the 3-mg and 1.8-mg doses of Victoza achieved weight loss of 6% and 5%, respectively, compared to 2% in the placebo group, the study found.