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Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide outclasses Januvia with new data in type 2 diabetes

pharmafile | March 26, 2019 | News story | Manufacturing and Production, Research and Development Novo Nordisk, Ozempic, diabetes, pharma, type 2 diabetes 

Novo Nordisk has revealed new dose-specific Phase 3a data for its glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue oral semaglutide, indicating that the drug achieved “superior reductions” in blood sugar, and body weight compared to MSD’s Januvia (sitagliptin 100 mg).

The therapy was tested in in type 2 diabetes patients whose condition was inadequately controlled with metformin, with or without sulfonylurea, over a 78-week study. After 26 weeks, the 7mg and 14mg dose groups saw HbA1c reductions of 1.0% and 1.3% respectively, compared to 0.8% with Januvia.  

In the 3mg group, this benefit shrunk to 0.6%, meaning non-inferiority to Januvia could not be confirmed in this group.

Furthermore, both 7mg and 14mg doses demonstrated body weight reductions of 2.2kg and 3.1kg respectively after 26 weeks, compared to 0.6kg with Januvia.

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“Many people living with type 2 diabetes do not meet their blood glucose targets despite many available oral antidiabetic therapies,” commented Dr Dale Allison, PIONEER 3 investigator and Director of Medical Research at the Hillcrest Family Health Center in Texas. “The PIONEER 3 findings are encouraging, as oral semaglutide demonstrated a clinically significant improvement in HbA1c and this investigational therapy has the potential to become the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for those living with type 2 diabetes.”

Matt Fellows

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