Sanofi gains FDA nod for insulin combination drug

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the once-daily combination of insulin glargine and lixisenatide injection for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetesinadequately controlled on basal insulin (less than 60 Units daily) or lixisenatide, which French pharma major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) will market under the trade name Soliqua 100/33

The new product, formerly referred to as iGlarLixi, is expected to help replace sales of blockbuster diabetes agent Lantus (insulin glargine), which is now facing generic competition following loss of patent exclusivity.

Market potential and competition