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Novo Nordisk reports positive phase 2 results for UBT251
Summary
Novo Nordisk reported that UBT251 produced up to a 9.8% mean body-weight reduction after 24 weeks and up to a 2.16% mean blood-sugar reduction in a phase 2 trial in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Content
Novo Nordisk said an experimental drug developed with The United Bio-Technology showed positive results in a phase 2 trial, including a mean 9.8% reduction in body weight after 24 weeks. The drug, known as UBT251, targets three hormones and was tested in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. Novo Nordisk agreed last year to pay up to $2 billion for the global rights to UBT251, with the licensing deal excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The companies reported effects on weight, blood sugar and blood pressure in the trial.
Key facts:
- UBT251 produced a mean body-weight reduction of up to 9.8% after 24 weeks, compared with 4.8% in the semaglutide group in the same trial.
- The trial reported a mean blood-sugar (glycated hemoglobin) reduction of up to 2.16% in UBT251 groups versus 1.77% in the semaglutide group.
- The study tested once-weekly injectable doses of 2 mg, 4 mg and 6 mg of UBT251 against placebo and semaglutide 1 mg.
- Novo Nordisk holds an exclusive global licensing deal for UBT251 outside of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan and agreed to pay up to $2 billion for the rights.
- United Bio-Technology plans to initiate two phase 3 trials in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes; Novo Nordisk will start a global phase 2 trial in people with type 2 diabetes later this year and is conducting a global phase 2 trial in weight management that is due to report next year.
Summary:
The reported phase 2 results describe larger average weight and blood-sugar reductions for UBT251 than for semaglutide in this study population. United Bio-Technology is planning phase 3 trials in China, and Novo Nordisk will proceed with a global phase 2 in type 2 diabetes later this year while a global weight-management phase 2 study is expected to read out next year.
