MSD names new diabetes combination drug

Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) has announced that it will entitle a new investigational oral diabetes compound Janumet. Previously called MK-0431A, the drug comprises sitagliptin phosphate and metformin and is designed to combat type-two diabetes.

The US-based company said it is “moving forward” with regulatory filing of the drug in both the US and other areas.

Highlighting the benefits of the drug, MSD cited results from clinical trials presented at meetings for both the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. In one study, the addition of sitagliptin phosphate to patients already receiving metformin – but exhibiting inadequate control of their diabetes – showed a “significant” additional mean reduction of 0.7 per cent in their A1C blood sugar levels.

Furthermore, A1C levels reached 2.1 from 8.8 per cent in a study that used 50mg sitagliptin phosphate twice daily with 1,000mg metformin twice daily.

Last month, MSD reported that Januvia, the sitagliptin phosphate monotherapy, had enjoyed a “strong launch” against its competitors. A Reuters report quoted ImpactRX, a market research company, which concluded that part of the reason for the drug’s success has been a strong marketing campaign in the US.

Previous study results have shown that sitagliptin phosphate used with metformin have been “well tolerated” with a “substantial” ability to lower blood glucose levels.