Novo Nordisk shakes up the diabetes market

It’s arguably one of most significant drug approvals of the year: The FDA has given the green light to Novo Nordisk's Rybelsus, an oral semaglutide drug, to treat Type 2 diabetes. This type of drug, called a glucagon-like peptide-one receptor agonist, has historically been dubbed the “holy grail” of diabetes treatment, and excitement has been palpable among the endocrinology set. 

A couple of GLP-1-targeting drugs have been approved previously — Eli Lilly’s Trulicity and Novo Nordisk’s Victoza. But both are injectable, while Rybelsus is taken orally. A recent Lancet study found that Rybelsus is more effective than Trulicity and Victoza, which suggests that Novo Nordisk may be gearing up for a blockbuster. 

As of late yesterday, Novo Nordisk hadn't yet released pricing information. But an ICER report said Rybelsus should cost $6,520 per year — more than 20% costlier than the injectable semaglutides on the market.