Sanofi reports positive trial data for diabetes drug

Sanofi has reported encouraging clinical trial data for Lyxumia, its EU-approved therapy for type 2 diabetes, which is still awaiting clearance for sale in the US.

A pooled analysis including the data of 753 patients from three randomised phase III studies showed that the lixisenatide-based therapy lowered blood sugar levels by reducing postprandial glucose daytime exposure.

It was able to deliver these benefits when added to the standard of care, which includes basal insulin with or without oral antidiabetic agents.

Lixisenatide is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration after a new drug application was accepted earlier this year.

Dennis Urbaniak, vice-president and head of the US diabetes patient-centred unit at Sanofi, said: "We are encouraged by these results that suggest the potential for lixisenatide to be the first once-daily prandial GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes in the US."

The drug was approved under the brand name Lyxumia by the European Commission in February 2013.