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Novo 'keen' to bring weekly diabetes shot
Posted 7 December 2017
Novo Nordisk has said it has a "keen interest" in bringing its recently FDA-approved diabetes treatment Ozempic (semaglutide) to Australia although it is keeping quiet on exact plans and timing.
The once-weekly injection was approved in the US this week for glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes and is expected to bring in blockbuster sales in the jurisdiction, according to US publication Fierce Pharma.
"We are excited about the potential for this product," a Novo Nordisk spokesperson said when asked about a possible Australian filing. "At this moment all plans and timing are commercial in confidence."
In Australia, AZ's Bydureon (exenatide) is the only PBS listed once-weekly diabetes treatment, although Lilly's Trulicity (dulaglutide) is also having a go at reimbursement after appearing on the PBAC's November 2017 agenda. A decision on Lilly's PBS bid will be announced next week.
However, Ozempic's arrival in Australia could prove a challenge to both registered weekly therapies as Novo's drug has shown favourable results in head-to-head trials with both rivals.
Ozempic's US filing included data showing it reduced HbA1c levels compared to Bydureon, as well as MSD's Januvia (sitagliptin) and Sanofi's Lantus (insulin glargine).
A head-to-head trial with Trulicity also showed Ozempic was superior in reducing glucose levels and body weight.
"We are excited about the potential of semaglutide to set a new standard of treatment of diabetes," Novo Science boss Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen said.
The company is also looking at a big future for the drug in other possible indications, announcing a large scale phase 3 program last month to trial the drug in obesity, while also planning a 'landmark' cardiovascular trial enrolling 12,500 patients for 2018.
Yajun Ma
yajun.ma@lushmedia.com.au
Posted 7 December 2017
Novo Nordisk has said it has a "keen interest" in bringing its recently FDA-approved diabetes treatment Ozempic (semaglutide) to Australia although it is keeping quiet on exact plans and timing.
The once-weekly injection was approved in the US this week for glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes and is expected to bring in blockbuster sales in the jurisdiction, according to US publication Fierce Pharma.
"We are excited about the potential for this product," a Novo Nordisk spokesperson said when asked about a possible Australian filing. "At this moment all plans and timing are commercial in confidence."
In Australia, AZ's Bydureon (exenatide) is the only PBS listed once-weekly diabetes treatment, although Lilly's Trulicity (dulaglutide) is also having a go at reimbursement after appearing on the PBAC's November 2017 agenda. A decision on Lilly's PBS bid will be announced next week.
However, Ozempic's arrival in Australia could prove a challenge to both registered weekly therapies as Novo's drug has shown favourable results in head-to-head trials with both rivals.
Ozempic's US filing included data showing it reduced HbA1c levels compared to Bydureon, as well as MSD's Januvia (sitagliptin) and Sanofi's Lantus (insulin glargine).
A head-to-head trial with Trulicity also showed Ozempic was superior in reducing glucose levels and body weight.
"We are excited about the potential of semaglutide to set a new standard of treatment of diabetes," Novo Science boss Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen said.
The company is also looking at a big future for the drug in other possible indications, announcing a large scale phase 3 program last month to trial the drug in obesity, while also planning a 'landmark' cardiovascular trial enrolling 12,500 patients for 2018.
Yajun Ma
yajun.ma@lushmedia.com.au
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