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Novo Nordisk (NVO) Presents Data on Obesity Drug Saxenda

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Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO - Free Report) announced data from a post hoc analysis of the three-year part of the phase IIIa SCALE (Satiety and Clinical Adiposity – Liraglutide Evidence) Obesity and Prediabetes study on Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg; glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist). Data were presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.
 
Data showed that people treated with Saxenda experienced consistent weight loss and improvement in blood glucose control across body mass index (BMI) categories over a period of three years in comparison to placebo. On the safety front, Saxenda was found to be well tolerated, with side effects in line with the previous studies.
 
Novo Nordisk’s phase III development program, SCALE, comprises four placebo-controlled multinational studies – SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, SCALE Diabetes, SCALE Sleep Apnea, and SCALE Maintenance. All these studies involve a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. While key results of all the studies in the SCALE program have been published, additional data will be presented and published through the rest of 2016.

We note that Saxenda is approved in both the U.S. and the EU for weight management. The drug has been off to an encouraging start following its launch in 2015. While promotional activities are progressing as planned, feedback from patients and prescribers have been encouraging too. The drug is expected to contribute meaningfully to the company’s top line, going forward.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Novo Nordisk currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in health care sector include ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ANIP - Free Report) , Cambrex Corporation and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report) . While both ANI Pharmaceuticals and Cambrex Corporation sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Johnson & Johnson carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

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