The rewritten version of the content is as follows:
«I believe that this type of medication plays a crucial role. We have dedicated decades to research in this field. We started with diabetes and have found additional benefits for obesity, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, and liver diseases. (…) We have developed unique molecules that offer glucose control, weight loss, and additional benefits for the comorbidities associated with these chronic diseases, such as cardiometabolic diseases,» stated Fruergaard during a press conference.
In that regard, she emphasized that the company’s intention is not only to treat diseases but also to prevent them and their potential comorbidities, which is «very beneficial» for patients and the healthcare system.
«Obesity is one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes. We have been working in the field of diabetes for many years, and if we advance in research (…) we can prevent type 2 diabetes. Prevention is essential, and it is also what makes our healthcare systems sustainable,» she added.
Fruergaard stressed that preventing these diseases will create «value» for both individuals and healthcare systems, making them more sustainable. To achieve this, Novo Nordisk is also working on launching the world’s first weekly insulin, which will be a «major change» for patients.
«GLP-1s are essential, they are increasingly being used not only for their weight loss potential but also because they offer additional advantages for individuals suffering from severe chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and also provide benefits for healthcare systems. This, in itself, is an economic advantage,» stated Camilla Sylvest, Executive Vice President of Commercial Strategy and Corporate Affairs.
IMPACT ON HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS
Following this, she mentioned that a study by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK has shown that the use of these treatments will reduce 171,000 hospitalizations annually and save over $2 billion (around €1.85 billion) between 2025 and 2040.
Despite all the advantages from a healthcare and economic perspective, she acknowledged that these products are «costly,» especially in relation to insulin and other medications for obesity and diabetes.
However, she emphasized that reducing the number of people suffering from obesity-related diabetes will also decrease the impact of cardiovascular diseases, which will have a «much greater» impact on the economy than the cost of these medications.
«Obesity is the most significant indicative factor for diabetes. We know that over 30% of individuals with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, and over 40% of those with type 1 diabetes are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, and likely to develop chronic kidney diseases,» she added.
To address this issue, the company has established a transformative preventive unit to «use science» to predict which individuals are at higher risk of obesity and other related diseases, highlighting that they are working with patient data through Apple smartwatches to identify patterns.
Executive Vice President of Development, Martin Lange, recalled that Novo Nordisk is expanding the indications of GLP-1s to include obesity, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, liver diseases, and kidney diseases, as they believe that all of these conditions «overlap» and often coexist in the same patients; they are also investigating its role in Alzheimer’s treatment.
FIGHTING RARE DISEASES
On another note, Executive Vice President of Rare Diseases, Ludovix Helfgott, highlighted the company’s focus on treating rare diseases, especially blood, growth hormone, and endocrine disorders, a decision justified by the fact that focusing on over 7,000 rare diseases «can be overwhelming.»
In relation to this, he stated that the molecule etavopivat can reduce the risk of experiencing a pain crisis in patients with sickle cell disease by half, which causes «terrible pains» that have been neglected until now.
Regarding hemophilia B with inhibitors, Helfgott assured that they will launch a new drug to block the ‘TFPI’ protein, which will help limit bleeding in patients; and for hemophilia A without inhibitors, the company aims to launch another treatment to help reduce bleeding comfortably with a «small subcutaneous injection.»