MSD announces results of five new Januvia studies

Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD) has announced the presentation of results from five new studies of Januvia (sitagliptin) at a major medical meeting to further demonstrate the clinical experience for the drug.

The trial data shows longer term efficacy, safety and tolerability of the compound for up to two years.

When used in conjunction with metformin as initial combination therapy, the drug showed significant glucose-lowering efficacy for up to two years.

An investigational study of the addition of the compound to a metformin and rosiglitazone treatment regimen also showed significantly improved control of blood sugar, as did the addition of Januvia to ongoing pioglitazone therapy.

Further analysis of the trial results showed type 2 diabetes patients to have glycemic control with Januvia, regardless of BMI,HOMA-beta and P/I ratio, as well as age and gender.

Professor Bernard Charbonnel, professor of endocrinology and metabolic diseases at the University of Nantes, said: “These data are interesting for physicians treating type 2 diabetes as they provide data regarding the clinical efficacy of Januvia both as initial combination therapy with metformin and also as add on therapy to other commonly used oral diabetes medications.”

He added that these results are important for doctors and patients because the condition is characterised by a progressive worsening of beta cell function over time, resulting in a decreased effectiveness of all known treatments.

In June 2008, MSD reported the results of a new analysis showing that Januvia results in a lower risk of symptomatic hypoglycemia compared to sulfonylurea glipizide.