Novo Nordisk reports that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg) for the treatment of obesity. The authorization covers all 28 European Union (EU) member states.

Saxenda is the brand name of liraglutide 3 mg, a once-daily human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog for the treatment of obesity. Saxenda is indicated in the EU as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adult patients with specified body mass index (BMI) indicating obesity or overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related co-morbidity, such as dysglycaemia (prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes mellitus), hypertension, dyslipidaemia, or obstructive sleep apnoea.

Novo Nordisk expects to launch Saxenda in several European markets starting in 2015. The drug was approved in the US in December 2014 and in Canada in February 2015.

Source: Novo Nordisk