Lilly drug ‘reduces vision loss in diabetics’

Eli Lilly has announced the results of the phase III clinical trials of ruboxistaurin mesylate, which have shown that the drug has reduced the risk of moderate vision loss in those with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

The drug, which has the proposed brand name of Arxxant, lowers the risk of sustained moderate vision loss by 40 per cent compared with patients administered with a placebo.

Trials of 685 patients administered a 32mg daily dose of the drug or a placebo to the patients with the disease, noting that mean visual acuity was improved after one year in the group taking ruboxistaurin.

“Ruboxistaurin is an investigational therapy for the treatment of moderate to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy,” Lilly notes

“It works by limiting the over-activation of protein kinase, a naturally occurring enzyme that has been linked to the development of diabetic Retinotherapy.”

Earlier this year, Lilly announced that it had received a letter of approval from the food and Drug Administration for Arxxant. The FDA appealed for further data supporting the existing clinical evidence submitted by the company in its new drug application.

Lilly commented that it would work with the organisation to ascertain whether existing data would suffice or if new research would be necessary prior to acceptance of the drug.