Victoza is an injectable drug used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, developed by Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk.

Victoza mimics the hormone GLP-1, which increases the secretion of insulin and thereby reduces blood glucose levels. Victoza is used in patients whose diabetes cannot be controlled by other, more commonly used medications such as metformin. It can also be used for weight management in adults with a BMI above 30 kg/m² (or 27 kg/m² if the patient also has high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or dyslipidaemia).

Novo Nordisk’s patent on Victoza is set to expire in 2022. Back in 2017, Israeli generics firm Teva filed an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market a biosimilar version of the drug.

Soon after, Novo Nordisk petitioned FDA to require clinical trials for biosimilars of Victoza, citing its complex manufacturing process [1]. The petition was rejected by FDA [2]. The agency highlighted draft guidance released in October 2016, which covered liraglutide and four other peptide drugs.

The most recent settlement between Teva and Novo Nordisk, announced on 18 March 2019, means Teva cannot launch a generic version of Victoza until 22 March 2023 at the earliest and likely not until 22 December 2023.

Novo Nordisk could also be granted a paediatric extension for Victoza, which would extend the above deadline by six months (to June 2024). The remainder of the agreement remains confidential and is subject to review by the US Federal Trade Commission and the US Department of Justice.

Jesper Brandgaard, Executive Vice President and Head of Biopharm and legal affairs for Novo Nordisk, said the settlement reflects the comprehensive US patent portfolio for liraglutide, adding ‘Novo Nordisk will continue to defend our broad intellectual property portfolio for innovative drugs against challenges’.

The company is currently developing an oral version of Victoza, aiming for FDA approval before the end of 2019. They have also launched a weekly GLP-1 agonist (Semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic) in an attempt to fend off competition.

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References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Novo Nordisk petitions FDA to require clinical trials for Victoza biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2019 Apr 12]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Novo-Nordisk-petitions-FDA-to-require-clinical-trials-for-Victoza-biosimilars  
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. FDA denies Novo Nordisk petition to block generic liraglutide [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2019 Apr 12]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Generics/General/FDA-denies-Novo-Nordisk-petition-to-block-generic-liraglutide

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