Victoza is the brand name for liraglutide, the first Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue approved in Japan. It is indicated as monotherapy or as an add-on to sulphonylurea (SU) in people with type 2 diabetes.

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, the executive vice president and chief science officer of Novo Nordisk, said: "The Japanese approval of Victoza represents a major advancement in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an important milestone for Novo Nordisk.

"We are excited to pioneer the GLP-1 market in Japan, where we are convinced Victoza will prove to be a valuable treatment option for people with type 2 diabetes. The clinical studies conducted in Japan showed Victoza to provide superior glucose control with a low risk of hypoglycaemia."