New retrospective analysis supports clinical data – Victoza® provides improved blood sugar control compared to sitagliptin and exenatide

Findings from a new real-world study complement data from clinical trials demonstrating that adults with type 2 diabetes experienced significantly greater improvements in blood glucose control after initiating Victoza® (liraglutide) compared with two commonly used type 2 diabetes therapies – sitagliptin and exenatide. Novo Nordisk presented these results from a retrospective analysis of real-world data today at the 73rd Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

The analysis also found that a significantly greater percentage of people with type 2 diabetes taking Victoza® achieved the ADA recommended target HbA1C< 7% level compared to those taking sitagliptin (p<0.0001) and exenatide twice daily (p<0.05).

“This real-world study reinforces the outcomes seen in clinical trials demonstrating better antihyperglycaemic efficacy of Victoza® when compared to sitagliptin or exenatide,” [i],[ii] said Dr Lawrence Blonde, Director, Ochsner Diabetes Clinical Research Unit, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA.

The retrospective study utilised real-world data from the IMS data warehouse, one of the most comprehensive collections of scientifically validated real-world patient data.[iii] Data from adults who had been initiating either Victoza® (n=234), sitagliptin (n=1,757) or exenatide twice daily (n=182) for six months for the treatment of type 2 diabetes were assessed to examine the treatment impact on HbA1C levels. Those taking Victoza® achieved an average -1.08 percentage point decrease in HbA1C from baseline, which was significantly greater than that for either sitagliptin (-0.68 percentage points; p<0.0001) or exenatide twice daily (-0.75 percentage points; p<0.001).[iv]

About Victoza®

Victoza® (liraglutide) is a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue with an amino acid sequence 97% similar to endogenous human GLP-1. Like natural GLP-1, Victoza® works by stimulating the beta cells to release insulin and suppressing glucagon secretion from the alpha cells only when blood sugar levels are high. Due to this glucose-dependent mechanism of action, Victoza® is associated with a low rate of hypoglycaemia†. The mechanism of blood sugar lowering also involves a delay in gastric emptying.

Victoza® was launched in 2009 and is commercially available in more than 60 countries globally. Since its launch, Victoza® has been prescribed to more than 700,000 patients worldwide. In the US, Victoza® was approved on 25 January, 2010 as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

† Hypoglycaemia has primarily been observed when Victoza® is combined with a sulphonylurea

References

[i]. Buse JB, Rosenstock J, Sesti G, et al; LEAD-6 Study Group. Liraglutide once a day versus exenatide twice a day for type 2 diabetes: a 26-week randomised, parallel-group, multinational, open-label trial (LEAD-6). Lancet. 2009;374(9683):39-47.

[ii]. Pratley RE, Nauck M, Bailey T, et al; 1860-LIRA-DPP-4 Study Group. Liraglutide versus sitagliptin for patients with type 2 diabetes who did not have adequate glycaemic control with metformin: a 26-week, randomised, parallel-group, open-label trial. Lancet. 2010;375(9724):1447-1456.

[iii]. 2013 Real-world Evidence Solutions. IMS Health Website. http://www.imshealth.com/portal/site/ims/menuitem.edb2b81823f67dab41d84b903208c22a/?vgnextoid=93cfec8413a49310VgnVCM10000076192ca2RCRD&vgnextfmt=default. Accessed 29 April, 2013.

[iv]. Dekoven, Mitchell, Lee, Won Chan, et al; 2013; Improved Real-World Glycemic Outcomes with Liraglutide versus Other Incretin-Based Therapies in Type 2 Diabetes. American Diabetes Association Late Breaking Abstract.