It is interesting and we are looking into it. That has been the message from Denmark’s Novo Nordisk since independent researchers discovered in a phase II study that the group’s diabetes drug liraglutide held promise in the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), also known as fatty liver disease.

But the company is now actively getting involved, however not with liraglutide, which is the active substance in the products Victoza and Saxenda, but rather the GLP-1 analogue semaglutide.

“Novo Nordisk plans to initiate a phase 2 clinical programme with once-daily semaglutide for treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in 2016. The plans are based on the positive results from a study conducted by independent researchers with liraglutide 1.8 mg for NASH. Novo Nordisk is currently preparing for discussions with relevant regulatory authorities prior to initiating the trial,” the company writes in its annual report published Wednesday.

Massive market

It is a potentially very substantial market that Novo Nordisk is set to enter. A number of reports from financing and research firms suggest that the global NASH market could grow to a value of up to USD 30 billion.

But so far, the market has been characterized by a number of failed attempts to develop an effective treatment. Still, companies like Gilead Sciences, Shire Pharmaceuticals and Intercept Pharmaceuticals all focus on the disease.

Novo has now decided to have a go as well and the considerations Chief Scientific Officer Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen aired to MedWatch last year have thus led to action.

“There were some interesting data and they really were interesting the data from Philip Newsome from Birmingham, UK. We are looking into them in depth. It was in tiny patient populations, but I believe it to be a fair statement and Jakob and I have discussed it. We take a positive view on finding the right path forward for our GLP-1 drugs. Whether that means Victoza or semaglutide, whether it means type 2 diabetes or obesity with NASH, we will have to talk about in the management group, and then we will make an announcement. But we are optimistic,” Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen said, referring to talks he had with EVP of China, Pacific & Marketing, Jakob Riis, last spring.

 Boehringer announcement confirms NASH race 

 Novo’s obesity drug reduces risk of diabetes 

 Danish agency advises against use of Saxenda 

 “This is not normal for Novo Nordisk” 

- translated by Martin Havtorn Petersen

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