Boehringer and Lilly's diabetes drug Jardiance gains EU approval

German family-owned pharma major Boehringer Ingelheim and US partner Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) have received Marketing Authorization from the European Commission for empagliflozin, a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. Empagliflozin, which will be marketed in Europe under the trade name Jardiance, is an oral, once-daily tablet for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes.

The European Commission approved empagliflozin 10mg and 25mg once daily tablets for use when diet and exercise alone do not provide adequate glycemic control: alone when metformin is not considered appropriate due to intolerance; and alongside other glucose-lowering medicines including insulin when glucose control is inadequate.1

“In Europe, the number of people with type 2 diabetes is growing and management of the condition increasingly requires a holistic approach to individuals and their needs,” said Klaus Dugi, chief medical officer of Boehringer Ingelheim. “We aim to bring the very latest therapy options to people living with type 2 diabetes and are delighted empagliflozin will become available in Europe,” Prof Dugi added.