Intarcia Therapeutics reports success in late-stage trial of diabetes drug

US biopharmaceutical company, Intarcia Therapeutics reported positive results from Phase III clinical trials for ITCA 650, its drug candidate to treat type 2 diabetes.

The privately held company in a statement said the clinical trial data shows potential in early post-metformin setting. In addition, the novel dosing opens up a large segment of the market that injectable medications have only marginally penetrated.

Kurt Graves, chief executive of Intarcia, said: "The comparative results on all study endpoints for ITCA 650 versus Januvia [sitagliptin, from Merck & Co] were unambiguous and compelling, particularly in light of how widely Januvia was prescribed worldwide last year, with global sales of more than $6 billion.”