Lilly Diabetes Drug Could Breathe New Life into Pipeline

A late stage study has proved Eli Lilly's experimental, once-weekly medicine for type 2 diabetes is as effective in lowering blood sugar as market-leading Victoza from Novo Nordisk.

The Lilly drug, dulaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, achieved the primary goal of the 599-patient study by demonstrating non-inferiority to the highest approved dose of the daily drug Victoza after 26 weeks, according to initial results released by the company. The projected blockbuster is the first GLP-1 agonist diabetes medication to measure up to Victoza.

Lilly hopes for U.S. and European approval this year.

Read the Reuters press release