A historic moment in diabetes care: Teva launches first-ever generic GLP-1 in US
Teva Pharmaceuticals, a New Jersey-based affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, announced that it has officially launched generic liraglutide injections in the United States.
Novo Nordisk currently sells liraglutide under the brand name Victoza. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke or cardiovascular death in patients with both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
This launch represents the first time a generic GLP-1 agonist has been made available in the U.S. market.
“By launching an authorized generic for Victoza® (liraglutide injection 1.8mg), we are providing patients with type 2 diabetes another option for this important treatment,” Ernie Richardsen, Teva’s senior vice president and head of U.S. commercial generics, said in a prepared statement. “In addition to strengthening Teva's diverse complex generics portfolio, we are providing the first generic GLP-1 product to the U.S. marketplace, demonstrating once again our ability to sustain a generics powerhouse.”
According to Teva, its generic liraglutide injections should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes. It is only recommended for patients 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. In addition, it should not be used in conjunction with other drugs that contain liraglutide.
Momentum continues for GLP-1 drugs
The rising impact of GLP-1 agonists continues to be one of healthcare’s biggest stories. While the popular drugs were first developed to treat diabetes, they have gained additional popularity in recent years as researchers have found additional ways they can benefit patients. The biggest example of this trend was seen back in March, when semaglutide—a GLP-1 agonist sold by Novo Nordisk under the brand name Wegovy—gained FDA approval to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in overweight or obese patients with cardiovascular disease.
At the end of 2023, the journal Science named ongoing research into these medications its 2023 Breakthrough of the Year. This was months before semaglutide/Wegovy even gained its updated FDA approval, highlighting just how closely the industry has been watching this story.
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.