UK's NICE approves Janssen's Invokana for type 2 diabetes

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued new final guidance recommending Invokana (canagliflozin), from US health care giant Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE: JNJ) subsidiary Janssen-Cilag, for treating some people with type 2 diabetes.

Canagliflozin also has the additional benefits of modest weight loss (2%-4%) and blood pressure reduction (although it is not licensed for use in weight loss or blood pressure reduction). NICE recommends canagliflozin to be used as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes, as either dual therapy in combination with metformin, only if a sulfonylurea is contraindicated or not tolerated, or where the person is at significant risk of hypoglycemia or its consequences; as triple therapy in combination with metformin and a sulfonylurea, or metformin and thiazolidinedione; or in combination with insulin with or without other anti-diabetic therapies.

“Securing positive NICE Guidance is an important milestone for canagliflozin. Janssen is pleased that people with type 2 diabetes will now have access to a new treatment option to help them control their blood sugar levels,” said Peter Barnes, medical director at Janssen UK.