Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 combination type 2 diabetes treatment of once-weekly semaglutide plus metformin was a success in the late-stage trial, reported.
The 40-week, 1,200-person SUSTAIN 7 trial reported the combination therapy outperformed Eli Lilly's own GLP-1 drug dulaglutide (Trulicity) plus metformin, for the superior reduction in HbA1c and body weight. However, the trial reported a notable increase in the onset of diabetic retinopathy cases, although was relatively minor and similar for both treatment arms.
Along with the trial findings, Novo Nordisk announced their expectation for semaglutide to become the "new standard" for type 2 diabetes treatment.