Recent findings show that Victoza, a diabetes drug marketed by diabetes leader  Novo Nordisk A/S (ADR) (NYSE:NVO)  is the second diabetes drug that can significantly decrease cardiovascular risks among type 2 diabetes patients. The drug was found to reduce overall CV risks by 13% among subjects with CV diseases.

The company presented data from the LEADER trial results earlier this week at the American Diabetes Association 76th Scientific Sessions. The findings have also been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Results Highlights

Under the LEADER trial, more than 9,300 subjects in their mid 60s with high CV risks from more than 30 countries have been enrolled and observed for an average of 3.8 years. About 75% of these patients have been diagnosed with prior CV diseases. Depending on their tolerance levels, they were given up to 1.8-mg of Victoza.

Victoza showed significantly reduced CV risks compared to placebo. It reduced CV death endpoints by 22% when compared to placebo as well. Moreover, the ADA confirmed that the drug did not show any significant safety issues.

Dr. John Buse, an official on the LEADER Steering Committee and University of North Carolina School of Medicine Diabetes Care Center Director, noted that the results are impressive given that the drug is one of the very first treatments to minimize possible risks and complications among patients with type 2 diabetes. Dr. Buse elaborated that this marks a significant milestone because CV complications are often the causes of death among these patients. He added that Victoza has demonstrated consistency across clinical endpoints, which he believes is impressive.

CV Benefits

Victoza is the first GLP-1 agonist to show significant and consistent CV benefits. While Lixisenatide, a GLP-1 drug from Sanofi SA (ADR) (NYSE:SNY), did not lead to increased CV risks, it also did not lower CV risks.

This impressive reduced CV risk milestone comes after Jardiance, the SGLT-2 drug of Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY) and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., lowered CV death risk by nearly 48%.