Researchers at the R&D section of drug maker Sanofi Aventis have confirmed this Monday that a study of its experimental diabetes drug showed better blood sugar control than placebo.
In their clinical trial 361 patients with type 2 diabetes were included. They randomly received either lixisenatide, the company's diabetes injectable, or a sham treatment. Lixisenatide is part of the new GLP-1 class of diabetes drugs, which also includes Byetta, marketed by Eli Lilly & Co. and Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.
This class of drugs acts by increasing insulin production and slowing the body's absorption of sugar – ultimately controlling blood sugar. Lixisenatide in the study significantly reduced the mean change from baseline two-hours postprandial glucose with mean decreases in body weight observed in all groups.
There have been safety issues with some of this class drugs like Novo Nordisk's Victoza. Warnings include those of thyroid cancer. This new drug has been studied for three months. Side effects with the drug were mild, and included nausea, the company said.
Shares of Sanofi-Aventis rose after the announcement.
Diabetes rates skyrocket globally with millions left untreated