Sanofi-aventis diabetes drug lixisenatide demonstrates efficacy

Sanofi-aventis has published results from a new clinical trial which illustrate the safety and efficacy of its type 2 diabetes treatment lixisenatide.

Data from the phase III study show the once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist can deliver significant improvements in glycaemic control, when administered in combination with basal insulin.

The conclusion was reached following a 24-week two-armed trial involving a total of 311 patients, in which the safety and effectiveness of the drug as an add-on treatment were compared to placebo.

It means lixisenatide was able to meet its primary efficacy endpoint in the study, with full findings from the trial set to be submitted for presentation at a medical conference.

Dr Marc Cluzel, executive vice-president for research and development at Sanofi-aventis, said: "Adding lixisenatide, a new GLP-1 with a strong post-prandial glucose effect, to a basal insulin may offer patients a new treatment approach to better control glucose and prevent long-term complications."

Earlier this month, Sanofi-aventis reported positive data from a phase III study of the diabetes treatment Lantus, illustrating its effectiveness compared to other oral antidiabetic drugs.