Canada Launches Sogroya as the First Weekly Growth Hormone Therapy for GHD
Canada has welcomed Sogroya® (somapacitan injection) as a new, once-weekly option for children and adults living with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). This landmark approval marks the first and only regimen of its kind that reduces the frequency of injections while delivering effective growth hormone replacement. For patients and families navigating GHD, Sogroya® offers a potentially simpler, more convenient treatment path without compromising efficacy.
What Sogroya® Means for Pediatric and Adult GHD Care
Sogroya® is indicated for the long-term treatment of pediatric patients with growth failure due to insufficient endogenous growth hormone, and for adults with growth hormone deficiency (AGHD). The once-weekly dosing is designed to support adherence—an important consideration in pediatric care and in adults who manage busy schedules—while maintaining the clinical benefits of growth hormone replacement.
Clinical Context and Benefits
Growth hormone deficiency, though rare, can impact growth velocity in children and affect body composition, bone health, cardiovascular function, and metabolism. By enabling a weekly injection, Sogroya® aims to simplify daily life for patients and families, potentially improving adherence and consistency of treatment. Real-world benefits reported in pivotal trials include:
- Comparable efficacy to daily growth hormone therapy in promoting height velocity in children.
- Notable improvements in body composition and metabolic markers in adults, including reductions in visceral fat and gains in lean body mass.
- Generally tolerable safety with adverse events similar to those seen with daily GH regimens.
Canada-Specific Launch Details
Novo Nordisk announced Sogroya® is now commercially available in Canada. Health Canada approved the product in July 2023, and the company emphasizes its commitment to simplifying treatment delivery for patients. Key voices in the launch include pediatric endocrinologists and clinicians who treat GHD, as well as families who will directly benefit from a more convenient therapy option.
Supporting Evidence: REAL 4 and REAL 1
The Canadian timing for Sogroya® aligns with data from the REAL 4 pediatric study and the REAL 1 adult study. In REAL 4, once-weekly Sogroya® demonstrated non-inferiority to daily somatropin in 2.5–11-year-olds over 52 weeks for annualized height velocity. In REAL 1, adults with AGHD who received Sogroya® showed favorable body composition changes, including reduced truncal fat and improved lean mass, sustained over longer follow-up. These outcomes support Sogroya® as a viable alternative to daily growth hormone therapy for eligible patients.
What This Means for Canadian Patients and Families
The introduction of Sogroya® offers a practical option for families managing pediatric GHD care and for adults seeking more convenient regimens. By potentially reducing daily injections to a single weekly dose, Sogroya® may support adherence, enhance quality of life, and simplify treatment routines for patients and caregivers alike.
About GHD and Novo Nordisk in Canada
Growth hormone deficiency is a rare condition stemming from insufficient GH production. Early and appropriate treatment is important to optimize growth and metabolic health. Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company, notes that Sogroya® is part of its broader commitment to advancing therapies that improve patient outcomes and simplify chronic disease management. For more information about Sogroya®, patients and clinicians can visit NovoNordisk.ca or consult the product monograph.
Inquiries and Safety Considerations
As with any prescription therapy, Sogroya® requires physician oversight. Patients should discuss eligibility, dosing, monitoring of IGF-1 levels, and potential adverse effects with their healthcare provider. Safety information and product labeling are available through Novo Nordisk Canada and Health Canada resources.
