AstraZeneca has presented findings which demonstrate dapagliflozin (a sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor) exhibits greater reductions in HbA1c and systolic blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes and hypertension compared to placebo, despite individuals having ongoing anti-hypertensive therapy with an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blockers.
In this new pooled, post-hoc analysis of two Phase III trials, dapagliflozin 5 mg and 10 mg/day resulted in greater reductions in albuminuria at 12 weeks compared to placebo, and also resulted in a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate, which was readily reversed 1 week after the last dose.
Scottish Medicines Consortium approves Toujeo® and Xultophy®
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has approved Sanofi’s new long-acting, concentrated basal insulin, Toujeo® (insulin glargine 300 units/mL). The insulin, which was launched in the UK in August 2015, is now available to patients on the NHS in Scotland and, according to the endorsement, should be targeted at people with type 1 diabetes who are at risk of severe or frequent nocturnal hypoglycaemia. It can also be considered an option as a once-daily therapy for people who require carer administration of their insulin, and in people with type 2 diabetes who have recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia.
The SMC has also accepted Novo Nordisk’s Xultophy® (insulin degludec/liraglutide) for restricted use within NHS Scotland.
Xultophy is recommended for use in adults with type 2 diabetes, uncontrolled on basal insulin analogues and for whom a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist is appropriate as an add-on intensification therapy to basal insulin to obtain glucose control.
NICE draft guidance recommends integrated automatic glucose monitoring system
NICE has published draft guidance recommending Medtronic’s integrated sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy system, the MiniMed Paradigm Veo, which can suspend insulin delivery if blood glucose levels fall dangerously low. The draft recommends the system as an option for people with type 1 diabetes who have repeated episodes of disabling hypoglycaemia despite being on optimal management with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.
An alarm lets the user know if blood glucose levels become too high or too low, and the device automatically suspends insulin delivery for 2 hours if the user does not respond to the low-glucose alert. Capillary blood glucose tests are still required to confirm the accuracy of the continuous glucose monitoring sensor.
Results of second late-stage Phase III study of LixiLan®
Sanofi has announced that a second late-stage Phase III study of its LixiLan® diabetes drug has met its main target, readying it for regulatory submissions by the fourth quarter in the United States and the first quarter of 2016 in the European Union.
LixiLan consists of a single-injection combination of fixed-ratio insulin glargine 100 units/mL (Lyxumia®) and lixisenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.
In the second phase III clinical trial, LixiLan demonstrated statistically superior reduction in HbA1c compared with insulin glargine 100 units/mL only.
LabStyle launch Dario diabetes system
LabStyle has launched the Dario diabetes system in the UK, allowing people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to test their blood glucose via their mobile device. The monitor connects to a smartphone, automatically logging blood glucose levels on the Dario app, which keeps the user and family and friends informed and reassured.
The glucose meter can plug directly into the mobile device through the earphone port and the pocket-size accessory includes the lancing device and strip cartridge holder.
Amid accumulating evidence of benefits with new diabetes drugs, Vinod Patel asks whether the costs can be justified.
9 Nov 2023