DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S (NOVO-B.KO) said
Wednesday its drug Victoza has been shown in a clinical study to be
more efficient than a competing drug in improving diabetes
patients' blood sugar control.
Data from the extension phase of the LEAD 6 study indicated that
patients who switched to Victoza from Eli Lilly & Co.'s (LLY)
and Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (AMLN) treatment, Byetta,
experienced a statistically significant improvement in blood sugar
control, the Copenhagen-based company said.
The switch to Victoza also led to reduced weight and improved
blood pressure among patients, it added.
Victoza, which is also known as Liraglutide, was approved for
launch in the European Union earlier this year.
Novo Nordisk also expects to launch the drug in the U.S. once it
gains regulatory approval. The U.S. Food and Drug administration
last week postponed feedback on the drug to the fourth quarter of
2009.
Analysts and investors have seen significant sales potential for
Victoza, which - in contrast to conventional diabetes treatment
with insulin - doesn't risk pushing blood glucose dangerously low
and also helps patients to lose weight.
At 0939 GMT, shares in Novo Nordisk were down 0.6% at DKK319.75,
against a 0.5% rise in the wider market in Copenhagen.
Company Web site: www.novonordisk.com
-By Gustav Sandstrom, Dow Jones Newswires; +46-8-5451-3099;
gustav.sandstrom@dowjones.com