Global pharmaceutical and healthcare company Novo Nordisk A/S (CPH:NOVOB) announced on Monday the approval by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Rybelsus (oral semaglutide), the first and only oral glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) in a tablet, for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes.

Reportedly, the approval of Rybelsus in Japan is based on results from the PIONEER clinical trial programme, which involved more than 9,500 adults with type 2 diabetes, including approximately 1,300 adults from Japan.

According to Novo Nordisk, it will now initiate reimbursement negotiations and expects to launch Rybelsus in Japan thereafter. Novo Nordisk and MSD will be co-promoting Rybelsus in Japan.