MannKind shares jump on positive data for diabetes drug Afrezza

California, USA-based MannKind Corp saw its share leap over 6% to $5.93 (having briefly gained 10%) after yesterday announcing results of a new 16-week trial showing that the investigational ultra rapid acting mealtime insulin, Afrezza (insulin human [rDNA origin]) Inhalation Powder, combined with basal insulin (Eli Lilly's Humalog), is clearly non-inferior to standard therapy insulin lispro, a rapid acting insulin, also combined with basal insulin, in reducing HbA1c levels in subjects with inadequately controlled type 1 diabetes.

In addition, patients treated with Afrezza had statistically significant lower rates of hypoglycemia, post-prandial glucose (PPG) levels when measured at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels when compared to subcutaneously injected insulin lispro.

'Effectively controlling blood sugar levels and managing hypoglycemic events go hand in hand as key to successfully treating patients with type 1 diabetes,' said Satish Garg, Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine; Head, Young Adult Diabetes Clinic, Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, and lead study investigator. 'Our findings demonstrate that Afrezza may offer a significant advance from current mealtime insulin delivery methods, as it is comparable to the standard of care in glycemic control and provides the additional benefit of lower hypoglycemia rates,' he added.