UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
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REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
May 16, 2016
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NOVO NORDISK A/S
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Novo Allé
DK- 2880, Bagsvaerd
Denmark
(Address of principal executive offices)
________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F
| Form 20-F [X] | Form 40-F [ ] |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
| Yes [ ] | No [X] |
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g-32(b):82-________
Novo Nordisk files for regulatory approval in the US of long-acting factor IX for the treatment of haemophilia B
Bagsværd, Denmark, 16 May 2016 - Novo Nordisk today announced the submission
to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Biologics License Application for the approval of long-acting factor IX, nonacog
beta pegol. Nonacog beta pegol is a glycopegylated recombinant factor IX with a significantly improved pharmacokinetic (PK) profile,
developed for patients with haemophilia B.
The filing of nonacog beta pegol is based on the results from the paradigm clinical trial programme which involved 115 patients
with severe or moderately severe haemophilia B. Nonacog beta pegol was found to be efficacious in routine prophylaxis, treatment
of bleeding episodes and surgery for adults, adolescents and children. Furthermore, nonacog beta pegol appeared to be well-tolerated
and no safety concerns were identified.
Compared to standard factor IX products, nonacog beta pegol has a five times longer half-life. Patients in the paradigm study achieved
a higher level of factor IX in the circulation despite less frequent dosing of nonacog beta pegol. In the phase 3 trials, once-weekly
administration of 40 IU/kg nonacog beta pegol maintained factor IX activity levels above 15%, reduced the median annualised bleeding
rate (ABR) to 1.0 and showed a potential to prevent bleeds in target joints. Furthermore, these patients reported a significant
improvement in quality of life during the trial.
"With the regulatory filings in 2016 of our long-acting factor IX, people with haemophilia B in both the EU and the US are
one step closer to having a new treatment option" said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science
officer of Novo Nordisk. "With its high factor activity level, less frequent dosing and reduced bleeding rate, nonacog beta
pegol has the potential to improve the quality of life for both patients and their families."
About nonacog beta pegol
Nonacog beta pegol is a factor IX molecule with an extended half-life intended for replacement therapy in patients with haemophilia B. Glycopegylation, the prolongation technology used for the half-life extension, is a novel approach in haemophilia B, already proven safe and efficacious in haemophilia A and other therapeutic areas.
About the paradigm clinical programme
The paradigm clinical trial programme for nonacog beta pegol enrolled children and adults with severe or moderately severe haemophilia B. A total of 115 previously treated patients with a total of more than 10,625 exposure days for up to 3.3 years of treatment with nonacog beta pegol.
The paradigm 1 PK trial (16 patients treated) - a single-dose escalation trial evaluating safety and PK
of nonacog beta pegol compared with marketed recombinant and plasma-derived factor IX products. Nonacog beta pegol showed up to
twofold increase in recovery, higher activity levels and a fivefold prolongation of half-life compared to existing treatment.
The paradigm 2 pivotal trial (74 patients treated, including a subset of patients from the paradigm
1 trial) - a 52-week single-blinded randomised trial evaluating safety, efficacy and PK for adults and adolescents in routine prophylaxis
and treatment of bleeds. When provided prophylactic at 40 IU/kg weekly, nonacog beta pegol appeared to have a safe and well-tolerated
profile and showed a median annualised spontaneous bleeding rate of 0.0. Furthermore, 97% of breakthrough bleeds were treated successfully
and 90% of target joints no longer classified as such.
The paradigm 3 surgery trial (13 patients treated, including a subset of people from the paradigm
2 trial) - a dedicated trial confirming safety and efficacy during and after major surgical procedures. In all patients, a single
preoperative dose provided effective haemostatic coverage, and no patient required additional doses on the day of surgery. Additionally,
three doses proved sufficient in maintaining haemostasis during the first two weeks following the procedure.
The paradigm 4 extension trial (71 patients previously treated in the paradigm 2 or paradigm 3 trials)
- a safety extension trial with longer-term exposure demonstrated a well-tolerated profile with no inhibitors or other safety signals
identified.
The paradigm 5 paediatric trial (25 patients treated) - a 52-week single-arm trial evaluating once-
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weekly prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding episodes in previously treated children
1-12 years of age. Nonacog beta pegol appeared to have a safe profile, and all patients maintained mean factor activity levels
above 15% one week after dosing of 40 IU/kg and a median ABR of 0.0 and 2.0 for children aged 0-6 and 7-12 years old respectively.
For further information
| Media: | ||
| Katrine Sperling | +45 3079 6718 | krsp@novonordisk.com |
| Ken Inchausti (US) | +1 609 514 8316 | kiau@novonordisk.com |
|
Investors: |
||
| Peter Hugreffe Ankersen | +45 3075 9085 | phak@novonordisk.com |
| Melanie Raouzeos | +45 3075 3479 | mrz@novonordisk.com |
| Kasper Veje (US) | +1 609 235 8567 | kpvj@novonordisk.com |
Company announcement No 39 / 2016
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf of the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Date: May 16, 2016 |
NOVO NORDISK A/S
Lars Rebien Sørensen, Chief Executive Officer |