Victoza reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes patients

 A new analysis of the landmark LEADER trial shows that Victoza (liraglutide) reduced the risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events in people with type 2 diabetes at high CV risk, irrespective of their history of having a heart attack and/or stroke or not having any of these events, when compared to placebo. This post-hoc analysis was presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Annual Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in people with diabetes. Furthermore, studies have shown that adults with type 2 diabetes have up to a four times greater risk of heart attack and stroke.

"This new analysis expands our understanding of the benefits of Victoza in reducing cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes," said Professor Neil Poulter, on behalf of the LEADER Trial Steering Committee and Investigators. "These encouraging results are consistent with the cardiovascular benefits of Victoza observed in LEADER in both people with a history of having a heart attack and/or stroke as well as people at high risk without prior history of these types of cardiovascular events."

Victoza reduced the risk of major CV events (non-fatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke and CV death) by 16% in people who had already experienced a heart attack and/or stroke when the trial started. Similarly, a non-significant 11% risk reduction was achieved with Victoza treatment in people who had not experienced a prior heart attack and/or stroke.