Gilead's Ranexa reduces angina frequency in patients with type 2 diabetes

US biotech firm Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD) has announced data from the Phase IV TERISA (Type 2 Diabetes Evaluation of Ranolazine In Subjects With Chronic Stable Angina) study, which demonstrated that the addition of the company’s Ranexa (ranolazine) to background antianginal therapy in chronic angina patients with type 2 diabetes significantly reduced the frequency of weekly angina episodes compared to placebo and background antianginal therapy.

Results were presented on Sunday at the American College of Cardiology’s 62nd Annual Scientific Session (ACC.13) in San Francisco and were published on-line ahead of print in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Ranexa is indicated for the treatment of chronic angina, but is not indicated for the treatment of diabetes and should not be considered a treatment for diabetes. Ranexa achieved 2012 sales of $373 million, up 17% over 2011, and future approval for diabetes could substantially boost sales, observers suggest. "For patients who have angina and diabetes this would be a good option," said Ori Ben-Yehuda, Gilead's vice president of clinical research.