GE HealthCare and Novo Nordisk Join Forces to Advance Peripheral Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Diabetes Care
GE HealthCare and Novo Nordisk have announced a collaborative effort to further explore the clinical and product development of peripheral focused ultrasound (PFUS). PFUS is a form of bioelectronic medicine that leverages ultrasound to stimulate the nervous system, prompting responses that could potentially address various medical conditions. Preliminary pre-clinical research and early-stage clinical studies have indicated that PFUS may influence glucose metabolism in people with diabetes by delivering personalized ultrasound stimulation to nerve pathways. If this concept receives further validation through additional clinical evidence, PFUS could emerge as a non-pharmacological solution for normalizing blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. This technology was initially developed by a team of scientists at GE HealthCare’s HealthCare Technology and Innovation Center, previously a part of the GE Research Center.
537 million adults having diabetes and more than 90% of cases being type 2 diabetes. 37 million adults in the U.S. have the disease. It is estimated that by 2045, one in eight individuals will have diabetes, particularly affecting low- and middle-income countries.
Roland Rott, President and CEO of Ultrasound at GE HealthCare, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of ultrasound technology to transform lives by providing an alternative approach to treating chronic diseases. The collaboration with Novo Nordisk is seen as a pioneering step in evolving ultrasound from a diagnostic tool into a therapeutic solution. This partnership aims to validate and further refine this groundbreaking technology with the ultimate goal of offering patients innovative treatment options for chronic diseases.
Under the terms of the partnership, GE HealthCare will contribute its expertise in ultrasound medical technology and Novo Nordisk will bring its experience in metabolic disease treatment and management to the table. Together, they will work towards developing a PFUS solution that enhances patient care, building upon the substantial foundational research already conducted by the GE HealthCare team. The specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Novo Nordisk has been in the news lately based upon recent data on its GLP-1 drug Ozempic. In August Novo Nordisk reported the headline results from the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial, a double-blinded study that spanned up to five years. The trial involved 17,604 participants aged 45 or older with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease but no prior history of diabetes. The primary objective of the trial was to assess the prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) with subcutaneous once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg compared to a placebo alongside standard care. The trial successfully achieved its primary objective, demonstrating a statistically significant 20% reduction in MACE for participants treated with semaglutide 2.4 mg compared to those who received a placebo.
Novo Nordisk’s also recently closed enrollment in its FLOW study, focusing on the potential benefits of Ozempic, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes. The decision is based on a recommendation from the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) that found the interim analysis met specific criteria for early termination due to efficacy and led to positive read-throughs on the drug’s efficacy.