The experimental medication, produced by the world's biggest insulin maker, is a bio-engineered version of a natural hormone. It stimulates insulin production leading to a feeling of fullness. Novo Nordisk is developing it as a potential treatment for obese and diabetic patients.
Aside from its weight loss benefits, the experiment showed that 80 to 90 percent of participants who indicated pre-diabetic symptoms at the start of the study no longer had those same symptoms after 20 weeks on the medication.
As a result of the encouraging findings, Novo Nordisk's shares rose by 5.4 percent to $129.30 (650 kroner) in Copenhagen, its biggest boost in 16 years.
Aside from insulin, Novo Nordisk produces medication for haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. It has a main office in Denmark and production facilities in 6 countries, with 23,000 people under its employment.
