Novo Nordisk has launched Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg) is in the United States (US). Saxenda is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist for weight management, approved in the US, European Union, and Canada. In the US, it is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or who are overweight (as specified by body mass index) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition.

Novo Nordisk expects to launch Saxenda in several other markets starting in 2015.

Saxenda has the same active ingredient (liraglutide) as the company’s Type II diabetes drug, Victoza, but is dosed differently (3 mg compared to 1.8 mg for Victoza). Saxenda, however, is not indicated for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes as the safety and efficacy of Saxenda for the treatment of diabetes has not been established. Victoza is one of the company’s top-selling drugs with 2013 revenues of DKK 11.6 billion ($2.0 billion).

Source: Novo Nordisk