Victoza® now available to people with type 2 diabetes in China

Novo Nordisk announced today that Victoza® (liraglutide injection), the first once-daily human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, is now commercially available in China. Victoza® was approved for type 2 diabetes by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) on 15 March 2011.

Victoza® was developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults, and is indicated in China as an add-on to metformin or sulphonylurea (SU) in people with insufficient glycaemic control despite maximal tolerated dose of monotherapy with metformin or SU.[1] Victoza® has been proven to lower blood sugar levels, reduce body weight, lower systolic blood pressure, and shows improvements in measurements of beta cell function. In addition, Victoza® has a low risk of hypoglycaemia and a demonstrated safety profile.[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7]

“Victoza® offers a treatment option by effectively reducing blood sugar levels and weight with a low risk of hypoglycaemia. We believe the benefits associated with Victoza® will help more people with type 2 diabetes in China achieve better control of their disease,” says Ron Christie, senior vice president and head of Novo Nordisk’s operations in China.

Victoza® has been commercially launched in more than 39 countries globally including the US, Japan, the Arabian Peninsula, and a number of countries in Europe, Asia and South America.

About Victoza®

Victoza® is the first and only human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue that is 97% similar to endogenous human GLP-1. Like natural GLP-1, Victoza® works by stimulating the beta cells to release insulin 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 approved on 30 June 2009 by the European Commission in all 27 European Union member states. In Europe Victoza® is indicated for treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to achieve glycaemic control, in combination with or as an add-on to metformin, sulphonylurea and thiazolidinedione. On 25 January 2010 Victoza was approved in the US as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.