Novo Nordisk has launched in the UK the first 'protein in a pill' treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Rybelsus (semaglutide tablets) is the world’s first and only oral GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA), which physicians in the UK, including GPs, can now prescribe for adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes to improve glycaemic control.

In the PIONEER clinical development programme, Rybelsus showed significantly greater HbA1c reduction at one year, with the additional benefit of consistent weight reduction, versus treatments used in the UK: sitagliptin, empagliflozin and liraglutide.

It is hoped that the availability of an oral GLP-1 RA – which, as protein-based treatments, were until now only deliverable by injection – might improve patient adherence to this class of medicines. Also, Rybelsus prescriptions can be initiated remotely, which is a particular advantage during the pandemic given that diabetes increases the risk of death from coronavirus, Novo highlighted.

“GLP-1 RAs are recognised as offering glycaemic control and weight loss benefits compared to other types of type 2 diabetes treatment, but are clinically underutilised because they are only available as injectables,” said Professor Steve Bain, Professor of Medicine (Diabetes) at Swansea University Medical School. “Being able to offer patients the option of a GLP-1 RA in a pill may make it easier for physicians, including GPs, to intensify treatment earlier for people with type 2 diabetes who are not controlled on their current treatment, helping them achieve their clinical treatment goals and reduce their risk of serious complications.”

The Danish drugmaker confirmed that oral semaglutide is priced “at parity with other GLP-1 RAs in the UK”, and it noted that the cost-effectiveness of GLP-1 RAs has already been determined in national guidelines including The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Scottish Medicine Consortium (SMC).

As such, NICE will not be carrying out a single technology appraisal (STA) for oral semaglutide, and so Novo said it will work with the NHS to ensure that physicians, including GPs, in England and Wales can secure access for their patients.

Roll out for Shionogi's novel antibiotic

Meanwhile, Shionogi has launched in the UK its new antibiotic Fetcroja (cefiderocol), which targets infections caused by aerobic Gram-negative bacteria.

Data from a range of multinational surveillance studies has shown that Fetcroja can produce potent in vitro activity against a broad spectrum of aerobic Gram-negative pathogens, including all three pathogens identified by the World Health Organization as being of a ‘critical priority’.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is fast becoming a critical health issue across the globe, causing an increased need for new antibiotics to address the burden. In the EU, around 25,000 deaths per year are caused by an infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria, while in the UK over 5,000 deaths can be attributed to AMR.
According to experts, if no action is taken antibiotic resistance is predicated to kill ten million people every year globally by 2050, with a total cost to global economic output of $100 trillion, highlighting the urgent need to grow the arsenal of effective antibiotics.