Novo's GLP-1 analog beats Lilly's in Phase IIIb for Type II diabetes

Novo Nordisk A/S (CSE:NOVOB; NYSE:NVO) reported data from the Phase IIIb SUSTAIN 7 trial in 1,201 Type II diabetics showing that both doses of subcutaneous semaglutide (NN9535) led to superior reductions on the primary endpoint measuring HbA1c compared to Trulicity dulaglutide from Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:LLY). Specifically, once-weekly 0.5 mg semaglutide significantly reduced mean HbA1c from baseline to week 40 by 1.5% vs. 1.1% for once-weekly 0.75 mg Trulicity; and once-weekly 1 mg semaglutide significantly reduced the endpoint by 1.8% vs. 1.4% for once-weekly 1.5 mg Trulicity.

Low- and high-dose semaglutide also significantly reduced mean body weight vs. low- and high-dose Trulicity, respectively (4.6 vs. 2.3 kg and 6.5 vs. 3 kg). Additionally, a greater proportion of patients who received low- and high-dose semaglutide achieved an HbA1c of ≤6.5% vs. low- and high-dose Trulicity (51% vs. 36% and 68% vs. 49%). Furthermore, a greater proportion of patients who received low- and high-dose semaglutide achieved body weight loss of ≥5% vs. low- and high-dose Trulicity (44% vs. 23% and 63% vs. 30%)...