Novo Nordisk receives positive 17-2 vote from FDA Advisory Committee that Victoza® provides substantial evidence of cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes

PLAINSBORO, N.J., June 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Novo Nordisk today announced that the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee (EMDAC) of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its meeting regarding the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for inclusion of the data from the cardiovascular outcomes trial LEADER in the label of Victoza^® (liraglutide) injection 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg.  

The discussions at the Advisory Committee meeting were based on data from the LEADER trial, which involved more than 9,300 people with type 2 diabetes at high risk of major cardiovascular events.

The Advisory Committee voted unanimously 19-0 in favor of Victoza^® on the question: "Do the results of LEADER establish that use of Victoza^® in patients with type 2 diabetes is not associated with excess cardiovascular risk?"

The Advisory Committee voted 17-2 in favor of Victoza^® on the question: "Does the LEADER trial provide the substantial evidence needed to establish that Victoza^® (liraglutide) 1.8 mg reduces cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes?"

"Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes, and today's discussion is an important reminder that there is an unmet need to provide benefits beyond HbA_1c control in this population," said Todd Hobbs, vice president and US chief medical officer of Novo Nordisk. "The positive vote from EMDAC puts us one step closer to expanding our offering to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes."

The sNDA for Victoza^® was submitted to the FDA in October 2016 and regulatory feedback in the US is expected in Q3 2017. In Europe, a Type II Variation application was submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in October 2016.

About advisory committees
FDA advisory committees are panels of independent experts who advise the FDA on specific questions raised by the FDA as they consider regulatory decisions. The FDA is not bound by the committee's recommendation, but it takes its advice into consideration when reviewing data concerning the safety and effectiveness of marketed or new drug applications.

About LEADER
LEADER was a multicenter, international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the long-term (3.5–5 years) effects of Victoza^® (liraglutide up to 1.8 mg) compared to placebo, both in addition to standard of care, in people with type 2 diabetes at high risk of major cardiovascular events. Standard of care was comprised of lifestyle modifications, glucose-lowering treatments and cardiovascular medications.

LEADER was initiated in September 2010 and randomized 9,340 people with type 2 diabetes from 32 countries. The primary endpoint was the first occurrence of a composite cardiovascular outcome comprising cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke.

Indication and Usage

What is Victoza^®?
Victoza^® (liraglutide) injection 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg is an injectable prescription medicine that may improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes, and should be used along with diet and exercise.

• Victoza^® is not recommended as the first choice of medicine for treating diabetes.
• It is not known if Victoza^® can be used in people who have had pancreatitis.
• Victoza^® is not a substitute for insulin and is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes or people with diabetic ketoacidosis.
• It is not known if Victoza^® can be used with mealtime insulin.
• It is not known if Victoza^® is safe and effective for use in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about Victoza^®?

Victoza^® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your health care provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rats and mice, Victoza^® and medicines that work like Victoza^® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Victoza^® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people.

Who should not use Victoza^®?

Do not use Victoza^® if:

• you or any of your family have ever had MTC or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
• you are allergic to liraglutide or any of the ingredients in Victoza^®.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Victoza^®?

Before using Victoza^®, tell your health care provider if you:

• have or have had problems with your pancreas, kidneys, or liver.
• have any other medical conditions or severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food.
• are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed.

Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and other medicines to treat diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas.

How should I use Victoza^®?

• Do not mix insulin and Victoza^® together in the same injection.
• You may give an injection of Victoza^® and insulin in the same body area (such as your stomach area), but not right next to each other.
• Do not share your Victoza^® pen with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them.

What are the possible side effects of Victoza^®?

Victoza^® may cause serious side effects, including:

• inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Victoza^® and call your health care provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.
• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Victoza^® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery.
• kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse.
• serious allergic reactions. Stop using Victoza^® and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including itching, rash, or difficulty breathing.

The most common side effects of Victoza^® may include headache, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and anti-liraglutide antibodies in your blood.

Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

About Victoza^® (liraglutide)
Victoza^® is a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on January 25, 2010, as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

As of March 2015, Victoza^® has been commercially launched in 75 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Hungary, Russia, India, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Malaysia and China.

About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat other serious chronic conditions: hemophilia, growth disorders and obesity. With U.S. headquarters in Plainsboro, N.J., Novo Nordisk Inc. has nearly 5,000 employees in the United States. For more information, visit novonordisk.us or follow us on Twitter: @novonordiskus.

Victoza^® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.
Novo Nordisk is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.
All other trademarks, registered or unregistered, are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk

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