Liraglutide, an investigational treatment for Type 2 diabetes under development by Novo Nordisk, improved the ability of pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin in people with Type 2 diabetes.

The findings from the study, part of a larger, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial conducted over 14 weeks, specifically showed that liraglutide increased the maximum capacity of beta cells to secrete insulin. In addition, insulin secretion was increased in the so-called "first phase" insulin response, which is typically diminished in patients with Type 2 diabetes.