Eli Lilly demonstrates new data for inhaled insulin

Eli Lilly has displayed new data regarding its investigational inhaled insulin drug, AIR. At the annual scientific session of the American Diabetes Association, Lilly published the first analysis of inhaled insulin absorption in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an affliction comprised of the inflammatory diseases emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The phase I trial demonstrated that the reduced lung function in such patients did have an affect on the uptake of COPD, reducing by a “consistent amount”. It found that in comparison to healthy patients, AIR insulin absorption was reduced by 22 per cent in patients with emphysema and 44 per cent in patients with chronic bronchitis.

Lilly says the studies are important because there may be a link between type-II diabetes and patients with COPD.

Klaus Rave of the Profil Institute for Metabolic Research, Neuss, Germany, remarked: “Having a non-invasive insulin option that is safe and effective in multiple patient populations is potentially an important advance in the treatment of diabetes and could help patients move earlier and more easily to insulin use.”

“Because of COPD’s prevalence and its potential correlation with type 2 diabetes, particularly in women, it’s important to study the safety, efficacy and predictability of AIR insulin in many patient populations, including in people with compromised lung function,” he added.

Lilly developed the AIR insulin system in conjunction with Alkermes. The company describes itself as the industry leader in pioneering new diabetes drugs.

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