LEADER trial suggests CV benefits with Victoza

BAGSVÆRD, Denmark—Novo Nordisk recently recently announced that Victoza (liraglutide) injection 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg significantly reduced the risk of the composite primary endpoint of cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke by 13 percent compared to placebo, when added to standard of care in 9,340 adults with type 2 diabetes at high CV risk.

The main results of the LEADER trial were presented at the American Diabetes Association's 76^th Scientific Sessions and also published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Victoza is reportedly the only approved GLP-1 receptor agonist to demonstrate a superior reduction of major CV events vs. placebo, both on top of standard of care, in a cardiovascular outcomes trial.

“These findings are exciting, as it demonstrates that Victoza can improve outcomes beyond glucose reduction and weight loss by helping to avoid cardiovascular complications and death in people with type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. John Buse, chairman of the LEADER steering committee and chief of endocrinology and director of the Diabetes Care Centre at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. “Type 2 diabetes treatments that can also reduce cardiovascular risk are important since cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide in this patient population.”

From a mean baseline of 8.7 percent, there was also a greater reduction in HbA1c with Victoza vs. placebo, both on top of standard of care, at three years.

“We are very excited by the LEADER trial results that demonstrate a significant reduction in major cardiovascular events among type 2 diabetes patients treated with Victoza, including all-cause death," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer of Novo Nordisk. “For us, this marks the beginning of a new era where our R&D focus will go beyond glucose control.”