Acylation with a spacer and C-18 fatty diacid chain increases the drug binding to blood protein (albumin), which enables longer presence in the blood circulation. Its half-life in the blood is about 7 days (165–184 hours), therefore, once-weekly injection is enough. Semaglutide was discovered in 2012, by a team of researchers at Novo Nordisk as a longer-acting alternative to liraglutide. It was given a brand name Ozempic. Clinical trials were started in 2015, and phase 3 was completed in 2016. Researchers at the University of Leeds and Novo Nordisk reported in 2017 that it can also be used for the treatment of obesity. It reduces hunger, food craving and body fat. US FDA approval was applied in December 2016, and in October 2017 FDA Advisory Committee voted 16–0 in favour. Approval was announced on 5 December. It can be used as both injection-type or oral-type drug. The marketing authorization in EU was granted on 8 February 2018. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced approval on 23 March 2018. Health Canada issued approval on 1 April 2018.