Industry Information
Oral Semaglutide : First Oral GLP-1 Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes
Date of publication：2020/3/14 16:21:10
Novo Nordisk's Rybelsus (semaglutide), combined with diet control and exercise, can improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Rybelsus is the brand name of the oral semaglutide in the US market. It is worth mentioning that this drug is the world's first and only oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug. It secured the FDA approval in September 2019 and received marketing authorisation in the European Union in January 2020. The drug is taken orally once daily with approved therapeutic doses of 7 mg and 14 mg.
Type 2 diabetes causes and symptoms
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that occurs due to the improper use of insulin by the body. Obesity and lack of physical activity trigger the disease. Diabetes affects approximately 422 million people worldwide.
The disease impacts more than 30 million people in the US, where approximately 90-95% of patients have type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of the disease develop slowly and include frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, fatigue, slow-healing of sores, as well as increased risk of infections.
Semaglutide mechanism of action
Semaglutide is a new long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog. The hormone has multiple effects on glucose, mediated by GLP-1 receptors. Semaglutide binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor, which stimulates a mechanism for increased insulin secretion by the pancreas and decreased glucagon secretion, lowering the blood sugar level. Semaglutide can also induce weight loss by reducing appetite and reducing food intake. In addition, semaglutide can significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
In early December 2017, a once-weekly subcutaneous injection of semaglutide (brand name: Ozempic) was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of adult patients with type 2 diabetes. In 2019, Ozempic's sales reached $ 1.65 billion. Pharmaceutical market research agency EvaluatePharma predicts that Ozempic's global sales in 2024 are expected to reach 5.28 billion US dollars, second only to Eli Lilly's GLP-1 agonist Trulicity (2024 sales are expected to 7.13 billion US dollars).
Oral semaglutide (brand name: Rybelsus) is a once-a-day tablet that contains an excipient SNAC that promotes absorption. As the world's first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, Rybelsus has very good commercial prospects, and EvaluatePhamra predicts that Rybelsus expects sales to reach $ 3.23 billion by 2024.
Huateng Pharma, a professional manufacturer of pharmaceutical intermediates, provides semaglutide intermediates with high purity.
Related articles:
[1] Antidiabetic Drugs Classification and Mechanism of Action
[2] Liraglutide, Used For Treating Against Type 2 Diabetes And Obesity
[3] The things you need to know about diabetes
[4] Oral Peptide Therapeutics: Advances and Challenges
[5] Glucagon Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) Agonist Drugs for Type 2 Diabetes
