Ozempic Is Expected to Boost GLP-1 Drug Class Trajectory in 2018

The FDA’s approval of Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) Ozempic (semaglutide) was based on favorable results from its Phase 3a study, SUSTAIN, which highlighted the superiority of the drug as a monotherapy or in combination with other agents in reducing blood glucose levels and body weight in type 2 diabetes patients. While there is a risk of retinopathy associated with Ozempic, the FDA’s guidance for this side effect is similar to what’s included on insulin labels. Ozempic has been launched in the United States as a prefilled device, and it’s available in 0.5 mg and 1 mg doses.