GSK diabetes drug ‘more effective than rivals’

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced the results from a diabetes outcome progression trial (Adopt) for Avandia that showed it is more effective than rival compounds glyburide and metformin for long-term blood sugar control in patients with type two diabetes.

Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate) was found to reduce the risk of monotherapy failure at five years by 32 per cent compared to metformin and 63 per cent when compared with glyburide.

Dr Lawson Macartney, senior vice president of cardiovascular and metabolic medicine development centre at GSK, said: “With Adopt, we now have clear evidence from a large international study that the initial use of rosiglitazone is more effective than standard therapies for type two diabetes in maintaining blood sugar control.”

He added that the trial added to other evidence released in 2006 that support the idea that rosiglitazone should become a “cornerstone” in the treatment of type 2 diabetes as a result of its capabilities for long-term glucose control.

In September, GSK reported that a diabetes-prevention trial showed that Avandia reduces the risk of patients progressing from pre-diabetes to type two diabetes in 62 per cent of cases.

The diabetes reduction assessment with ramipril and rosiglitazone medication trial tested the probability of 5,269 patients in a state of pre-diabetes progressing to type two diabetes.