New diabetes drug trialled in Melbourne hoped to fill Ozempic shortage

Melbourne researchers are helping develop a new drug that could offer a life-saving treatment option to more sufferers of type 2 diabetes.

The drug, called CagriSema, combines the active ingredient in Ozempic with another appetite suppressant.

The Royal Melbourne Hospital will offer the treatment for free over a year to a select group of people who are overweight or living with type 2 diabetes in the global trial.

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Researchers hope the new drug will help fill the gap left by a global Ozempic shortage.

"In previous trials of a smaller number of people we've seen this approach where you combine the two drugs together, (it) is more effective than just using Ozempic alone," Royal Melbourne Hospital endocrinologist, Associate Professor John Wentworth, said.

"Everyone in the study is expected to lose weight and to have their diabetes improve.

"What we don't know is if there will be any major safety concerns of the new compound."

With two years of restricted supply, it's estimated tens of thousands of type 2 diabetes patients in Australia are waiting for treatment.

Diabetes Victoria chief executive Glen Noonan welcomed the trial.

"To be able to offer this to people is fabulous and it will have a profound impact on people's lives," he said.

More than 2000 overweight type 2 diabetes patients will be recruited by Australian hospitals across four states and overseas in the US, Poland and South Africa.