Frequently Asked Questions

 
What is Victoza® (liraglutide)?
Victoza® (liraglutide)  is the first once daily human GLP-1 analogue developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is 97% similar to natural GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1).

Victoza® (liraglutide) is not an insulin.

What is GLP-1?
GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is a natural hormone and is part of the body's own system for primarily controlling blood glucose levels.

It stimulates the release of insulin only when blood glucose levels become too high.

How does GLP-1’s natural activity in the body relate to type 2 diabetes?
Scientists are discovering that GLP-1 has a number of effects in the body that could be beneficial in type 2 diabetes.

For instance, studies giving natural GLP-1 to healthy people and to those with type 2 diabetes have shown that: 

  • GLP-1 triggers insulin secretion when blood glucose levels are high1,2;
  • GLP-1 suppresses glucose production when blood glucose levels are high1,2;
  • GLP-1 increases a sense of fullness after meals leading to reduced food intake and weight loss or neutrality1,3;
  • GLP-1 promotes beta-cell function and growth (animal and in vitro studies on human pancreatic islet cells)1,4,5,6;
  • GLP-1 protects the heart and reduces blood pressure7,8,9

Natural GLP-1 is, however, broken down too quickly in the body for it to be used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.1   

Therefore, researchers have developed therapies for type 2 diabetes that overcome this barrier by increasing the length of time that GLP-1 works in the body.

These therapies are called incretin-based therapies and they comprise:

  • GLP-1 receptor agonist treatments
  • DPP4 inhibitor treatments
What is the LEAD™ programme?
LEAD™ stands for Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes and these trials form the efficacy part of the regulatory filing in Europe and US for Victoza® (liraglutide).

There are five LEAD™ phase 3a studies: four 26-week and one 52-week trials. Four of these trials directly compared Victoza® (liraglutide)  against commonly used diabetes treatments.10,11,12,13,14  

There is also one phase 3b (completed after regulatory submissions) LEAD™ 6 trial that directly compared the efficacy and safety of Victoza® (liraglutide)  and exenatide in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.15

For more information related to the LEAD™ programme and the current clinical trials involving Victoza® (liraglutide), please search on term <<liraglutide>> on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Where does Victoza® (liraglutide) currently have marketing authorisation?
The European Commission granted marketing authorisation for Victoza® on 30 June 2009 for all 27 European Union member states and it is already on the market in Germany, the UK and Denmark.  According to this authorisation, Victoza® is indicated for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to achieve glycaemic contol: 

  • in combination with metformin or a sulphonylurea in patients with insufficient glycaemic control despite maximal tolerated dose of monotherapy with metformin or sulphonylurea, and 
  • in combination with metformin and a sulphonylurea or metformin and a thiazolidinedione in patients with insufficient glycaemic control despite dual therapy