Newly released results from an international Phase 3 clinical trial show Xultophy 100/3.6, a new treatment for diabetes developed by Novo Nordisk Inc. is more effective than traditional insulin alone and eliminates some insulin side effects.
The findings, taken from the Phase 3b DUAL VII clinical trial, were presented June 10 at the 77th scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in San Diego, a Novo Nordisk release said.
Dr. Todd Hobbs, Novo Nordisk’s chief medical officer, said Xultophy 100/3.6 matched the effectiveness of traditional insulin in lowering a patient’s A1C level (an overall measure of blood sugar), without causing weight gain or lowering blood sugar to precipitously low levels. In patients treated with both insulin and Xultophy, researchers found Xultophy cut the amount of traditional insulin required, the release said.
"These findings reinforce the importance of the ongoing development of new medicines to help adults better manage their Type 2 diabetes,” Hobbs said in the release.
The ADA says Type 2 diabetes causes excess glucose to build up in the bloodstream because the body is insensitive to naturally produced insulin. Nationwide, nearly 30 million people are thought to suffer from the disease, with approximately one-third undiagnosed, the Centers for Disease Control reports.
Xultophy, approved by the Food and Drug administraton in November, contains a combination of insulin and liraglutide, an appetite suppressant also made by Novo Nordisk that helps manage blood sugar levels, the release said. Liraglutide, marketed under the trade name Victoza, has been linked to thyroid cancer.
