AstraZeneca's Byetta meets primary endpoint in diabetes trial and reduces weight

UK-based pharma major AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) has announced new research showing that Byetta (exenatide) added to basal insulin glargine and metformin can achieve similar glycemic control, and reduction in weight, compared to treatment with bolus insulin lispro added to basal insulin glargine and metformin in adult patients with type 2 diabetes.

The research,  published this week in Diabetes Care, was from the first study to directly compare a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist added to basal insulin to a standard basal-bolus insulin regimen. The Phase III study showed that exenatide achieved its primary endpoint of non-inferiority to bolus insulin lispro in reducing HbA1c levels at 30 weeks (-1.13% and -1.10%, respectively; p-value = 0.627). Exenatide is the only short-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist demonstrated to be as effective as mealtime insulin lispro in improving glycemic control.

Lisa Anson, president, AstraZeneca UK and Ireland, said: “The majority of people with type 2 diabetes in the UK are overweight or obese, therefore it’s important that we explore ways to tackle these issues if we want to optimise diabetes management and help patients achieve their treatment goals. This study demonstrates that Byetta is a viable alternative to bolus insulin, in people with type 2 diabetes who take basal insulin and need intensification, and demonstrates the benefits that can be achieved when combining two different classes of medicine.”