Exenatide Once Monthly Showed Positive Results in Phase 2 Study
By Eli Lilly And Company, PRNEWednesday, March 9, 2011
BASINGSTOKE, England, March 10, 2011 - Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMLN), Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:
LLY) and Alkermes, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALKS) today announced positive results from
a phase 2 study evaluating the effects of a once-monthly injectable
suspension formulation of exenatide on glycaemic control in patients with
type 2 diabetes.
The 121-patient phase 2 study assessed the efficacy, safety and
tolerability of three different doses of exenatide once monthly. It also
assessed exenatide once weekly (exenatide extended-release for injectable
suspension, proposed brand name Bydureon(R)), another investigational type 2
diabetes therapy. After 20 weeks of treatment (five injections), patients
randomized to the exenatide once monthly treatment arms experienced average
reductions in A1C ranging between 1.3 and 1.5 percentage points from
baseline. In the exenatide once-weekly treatment arm, the reduction was 1.5
percentage points. A1C is a measure of average blood sugar over three months.
More than 90 percent of patients overall completed the study. The most
common adverse events among the exenatide once monthly treatment groups were
headache and nausea. Headache and diarrhoea were most common among the
exenatide once-weekly group. No major or minor hypoglycaemia was reported in
the study.
Based on the encouraging results of this study, the companies plan to
proceed with regulatory interactions to outline the next steps for this
important programme.
Exenatide once monthly is a new, extended-release formulation of
exenatide, the active ingredient in Byetta(R) (exenatide) injection, which is
given twice daily. Exenatide once-monthly is based on the same Medisorb(R)
microsphere technology used in exenatide once-weekly.
- ENDS -
Study Design
This phase 2, randomized, open-label study included 121 adults with type
2 diabetes who were not achieving adequate glucose control using diet and
exercise alone or with a stable regimen of metformin, pioglitazone, or both.
Subjects were randomized to receive either 2 mg weekly subcutaneous
injections of exenatide once-weekly or subcutaneous injections of exenatide
once-monthly at a low, medium or high dose, each administered once every four
weeks, for a total of 20 weeks.
About Amylin, Lilly and Alkermes
Amylin Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to
improving lives of patients through the discovery, development and
commercialization of innovative medicines. Amylin's research and development
activities leverage the Company's expertise in metabolism to develop
potential therapies to treat diabetes and obesity. Amylin is headquartered in
San Diego.
Through a long-standing commitment to diabetes care, Lilly provides
patients with breakthrough treatments that enable them to live longer,
healthier and fuller lives. Since 1923, Lilly has been the industry leader in
pioneering therapies to help healthcare professionals improve the lives of
people with diabetes, and research continues on innovative medicines to
address the unmet needs of patients.
Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing
portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its
own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific
organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Lilly provides answers -
through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent
medical needs.
Alkermes, Inc. is a fully integrated biotechnology company committed to
developing innovative medicines to improve patients' lives. Alkermes' robust
pipeline includes extended-release injectable, pulmonary and oral products
for the treatment of prevalent, chronic diseases, such as central nervous
system disorders, addiction and diabetes. Headquartered in Waltham, Mass.,
Alkermes has a research facility in Massachusetts and a commercial
manufacturing facility in Ohio.
BYDUREON(R) and BYETTA(R) are trademarks of Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
and Medisorb(R) is a registered trademark of Alkermes, Inc. All other marks
are the marks of their respective owners.
(Logo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO ) (Logo: https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101020/LA85062LOGO-a ) (Logo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101020/LA85062LOGO-b )
Lilly UK Press Office, +44-01256-315000, GB_CA_mediaenquiries at lilly.com
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