A new drug being tested to treat diabetes, Bydureon, has failed to show better performance than existing treatments on the market. The new drug was created by Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals, but was shown in a study to be no more effective than its competitor, Victoza.
Both Bydureon and Victoza stimulate the body to use insulin to regulate blood sugar using synthetic versions of the peptide known and GLP-1. These drugs are considered better than insulin treatments because they are less likely to cause low blood sugar, and may help some patients lose weight. Bydureon is administered weekly, whereas Victoza is administered daily.
The study founds that hemoglobin A1C, a measure of blood sugar, was reduced by 1.5 percent for patients who took Victoza and 1.3 percent by patients who took Bydureon.
Although Bydureon may be considered less effective, it may have some advantages outside of clinical trials, particularly because it is administered less often. The trial also showed that Bydureon causes less nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. “While this study did not meet its primary endpoint, these results reinforce the important role” said Gwen Krivi, a vice-president for product development at Lilly. “If approved, Bydureon could provide millions of patients with a once-weekly treatment option.”
The FDA is causing further delay to the Bydureon’s release by asking the drug’s makers to provide more data on whether it changes heart rhythms.
Via Forbes and Bloomberg.com.
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