GLP‑1 news from 2015
4 dated, sourced GLP-1 developments from 2015: approvals, trial results, prices, lawsuits, compounding and culture.
- Business
ELIXA reports: lixisenatide is cardiovascular-neutral
The first completed GLP-1 cardiovascular outcomes trial finds no benefit and no harm in 6,068 patients after a recent acute coronary syndrome, hazard ratio 1.02. The result leaves lixisenatide without the outcome data its rivals would soon have.
- Business
LEAN reports the first GLP-1 liver histology signal
A 52-patient UK phase 2 trial found resolution of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in 39% of liraglutide patients versus 9% on placebo, with less fibrosis progression. Liraglutide never gained a liver indication, but the trial opened the GLP-1 liver field.
- Business
SCALE Diabetes quantifies the smaller weight result in type 2 diabetes
JAMA published the 846-person trial showing liraglutide 3.0 mg produced 6.0% weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes versus 2.0% on placebo, well below the result in people without diabetes. The ADA still cites these figures in its 2026 obesity pharmacotherapy table.
- Research
SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes published in NEJM
The pivotal 56-week trial in 3,731 adults reports average weight loss of 8.0% (8.4 kg) with liraglutide 3.0 mg versus 2.6% (2.8 kg) with placebo; 63.2% versus 27.1% lost at least 5% of body weight and 33.1% versus 10.6% lost more than 10%.