Biocon launches Liraglutide for diabetes, obesity in UK
Bengaluru: Biocon Limited, an innovation-led global biopharmaceutical company, has announced the launch of its GLP-1 peptide, Liraglutide, for diabetes and obesity, in the United Kingdom (U.K.).
The drug-device combination will be marketed in the U.K. under the brand names Liraglutide Biocon for
diabetes (gVictoza) and Biolide for chronic weight management (gSaxenda).
The launch follows the approval from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), U.K.,
earlier this year, making Biocon Limited the first generics company to obtain approval for gLiraglutide in a
major regulated market.
Siddharth Mittal, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Biocon Limited, said, “The launch of our
gLiraglutide for diabetes and obesity in the U.K. marks a significant milestone for Biocon. Making this GLP-1
peptide more accessible and affordable to patients dealing with these conditions is testament to our
unwavering commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes across the globe. The timely launch will offer
healthcare providers and patients affordable access to this drug and help fulfil an unmet need. The launch also
underpins Biocon’s scientific and manufacturing capabilities in developing and bringing to market complex,
vertically integrated, GLP-1 formulations. We will continue to focus our efforts towards expanding the reach of
gLiraglutide into other European markets, the U.S. and select MoW geographies, as well as enhancing our
pipeline of GLP-1 peptide products.”
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are medications that help lower
blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. They are physiological hormones that have multiple actions on
glucose, mediated by the GLP-1 receptors released from gut enteroendocrine cells and control meal-related
glycemic excursions through augmentation of insulin and inhibition of glucagon secretion. GLP-1 also inhibits
gastric emptying and food intake actions, maximizing nutrient absorption while limiting weight gain.
injection. It was approved for medical use in the European Union in 2009, and in the United States in 2010.
Liraglutide was approved by the US FDA in 2014, and by the EMA a year later, for adults who are either obese
or overweight with atleast one weight-related condition. In 2019, it was approved by the US FDA for the
treatment of children who are ten years or older with type 2 diabetes, making it the first non-insulin drug
approved to treat type 2 diabetes in children since metformin was approved in 2000.