Semaglutide (Novo Nordisk)

London: Widely used GLP-1 drugs for type 2 diabetes such as Novo Nordisk 's Ozempic may modestly reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers, especially colorectal cancer , according to data released on Thursday ahead of a major medical meeting. Among more than 85,000 people with type 2 diabetes and obesity treated between 2013 and 2023 and followed for an average of nearly four years, 2,501 obesity-related cancers developed in those taking GLP-1 diabetes drugs , compared with 2,671 such cancers in those treating their diabetes with drugs from a class known as DPP-4 inhibitors . After accounting for individual risk factors, those taking GLP-1 drugs had a 7 per cent lower risk of developing an obesity-related cancer and an 8 per cent lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who took a DPP-4 inhibitor, a brief summary of data to be presented at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago showed. The effect was only statistically significant in women, researchers said. Other GLP-1 drugs for improving blood glucose control taken by patients in the study include Eli Lilly's Trulicity and Novo's Victoza and Rybelsus, among others. These drugs deliver a lower dose of their main ingredient compared to GLP-1 drugs designed to induce weight loss. DPP-4 inhibitors include Merck & Co's Januvia and Nesina from Takeda Pharmaceuticals. While a modestly reduced risk for 14 obesity-related cancers was evident with GLP-1 drugs, the suggestion of a protective effect was particularly strong for colorectal malignancies. There were 16 per cent fewer colon cancer cases and 28 per cent fewer rectal cancer cases in the group prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists. Observational studies like this cannot prove that the GLP-1 drugs caused lower cancer rates. "These data are reassuring, but more studies are required to prove causation," lead study author Lucas Mavromatis, a medical student at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York, said in a statement. (Reporting by Nancy Lapid; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

New Delhi: Zydus Lifesciences is working on a differentiated single device that can be calibrated for use of semaglutide in multiple strengths, a senior industry executive told ET. The blockbuster drug from Novo Nordisk is globally sold as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for obesity, but it is yet to be launched in India. Ahmedabad-based Zydus is developing a novel formulation of semaglutide targeting both diabetes and obesity-two of the fastest-growing chronic conditions globally. The version is being developed with a differentiated delivery profile aimed at enhancing patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes. "This technology is unique and has not been used anywhere in the world," the executive said. Zydus is in the middle of clinical trials in India for the single pen device and the regulatory examination process is ongoing, the person said. "Our current strategy for semaglutide, both for India and the developing markets, is that we have a novel formulation for semaglutide that we are going to commercialise both in India and the other markets," Zydus MD Sharvil Patel told investors in an earnings call. He said the company is gearing up to catch the first wave of launch in India. "And we are on track for day 1 launch in India," said Patel. Zydus plans to commercialise the formulation in other emerging markets as well and is actively exploring licensing opportunities with partners for it. "We would partner this molecule also to some companies because we have a unique formulation with a very strategic advantage, and we hope to take that same capability into the other emerging markets," Patel said. A company spokesperson declined to comment. The industry executive cited earlier said that worldwide, semaglutide is delivered through multiple devices, as the dose strength gradually increases over time and that causes inconvenience for patients, in addition to higher costs. While the drug formulation is indigenously developed, Zydus has obtained the pen device technology from another company. The name was withheld due to competitive reasons. Sources said some companies have already approached Zydus for local co-marketing partnerships. The device has been patented but the industry executive noted this will not be used for a higher pricing, as the priority for the company is to make the drug delivery device convenient for patients. By Rica Bhattacharyya & Vikas Dandekar ,