Drug achieves 6% weight loss in diabetics

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 18 (UPI) -- Novo Nordisk in Denmark said a clinical trial found the drug liraglutide achieved 6 percent weight loss in overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes.

This was the second phase 3a trial to be completed as part of the clinical development program for liraglutide 3 milligram as an obesity treatment, company officials said.

In the trial, 846 overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes were randomized 2:1:1 to treatment with liraglutide 3 mg, liraglutide 1.8 mg or placebo.

After 56 weeks, treatment was discontinued and the subjects were tracked for a 12-week observational period.

From a mean baseline weight of approximately 233 pounds and a body mass index of 37, the weight loss for people treated with liraglutide 3 mg and liraglutide 1.8 mg after 56 weeks were 6 percent for the higher dose and 5 percent or the lower dose and 2 percent weight loss for people treated with placebo.

During the 12-week follow-up period after treatment discontinuation, people in both liraglutide treatment groups experienced a moderate weight regain, the company said.

"We are pleased about the outcome of this trial and look forward to getting the results from the two remaining trials in the program," Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer of Novo Nordisk, said in a statement.

"This trial showed it was possible to achieve both clinically significant weight loss and excellent glucose control with a single treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes. Weight management is often a greater challenge for this patient population and there is a need for new and effective treatment options."