Upending an Epidemic
Novo Nordisk gives diabetics and those at risk new options for thwarting the disease.
Courtesy Novo Nordisk
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Today, 366 million people worldwide have diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation, which estimates that by 2030, 552 million — or 1 in 10 adults — could have the disease. Given the growing worldwide epidemic, Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) is working to improve the insulin used to help millions of patients control this serious disease. But just as important, CEO Lars Rebien Sørensen says, the company is devoting significant R&D to the creation of an oral form of insulin, which would allow diabetics to toss out their needles.
“While we have no certainties that we can do it, we believe it may be achievable, so we’re spending a tremendous amount of resources,” says Sørensen, who adds that his company is spending more than $1.5 billion on diabetes-related R&D each year.
“With degludec, patients may be able to adjust the timing of their daily insulin to the demands of everyday life.”
— Alan Moses, M.D., Chief Medical Officer
Novo Nordisk began selling insulin 89 years ago, and today reports that it is the world’s largest seller of insulin products. In addition to exploring the oral insulin product, the Denmark-based company also has under review with the Food and Drug Administration a second long-lasting insulin called degludec, for which it is seeking approval this year. Company research shows that patients using degludec can go 40 hours between injections without affecting glycemic control. “It has consistent absorption into the bloodstream to reduce fluctuations of glucose levels,” says Chief Medical Officer Alan Moses, M.D. “With degludec, patients may be able to adjust the timing of their daily insulin to the demands of everyday life.”
The company hopes that degludec will be as successful as Victoza, an injectable medication introduced in 2010. Victoza, Moses explains, mimics a hormone the body produces, prompting the pancreas to produce insulin when glucose levels rise. “When used early, Victoza is not only associated with low blood sugar, it’s associated with weight loss, which is something that most diabetes treatments do not do,” Moses says. Because of this, the company has been investigating the use of Victoza’s core molecule as the basis for a new drug to help keep obese persons diabetes-free. “Early studies in this obesity program are encouraging,” Sørensen says, “but much more testing must be completed before we are ready to submit data for review by regulatory agencies.”
