Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca report positive diabetes drug

Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca have reported positive phase III clinical trial data for dapagliflozin, their collaboratively-developed therapy for type 2 diabetes.

The trial examined the performance of dapagliflozin in the treatment of adult patients with type 2 diabetes who were inadequately controlled on combination treatment with metformin plus sulfonylurea.

It was found that the therapy, when used as an add-on to metformin plus sulfonylurea, demonstrated significant improvements in glycosylated haemoglobin levels and, among key secondary endpoints, significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose and body weight compared to placebo at 24 weeks.

Significant improvements were also observed in seated systolic blood pressure at eight weeks, findings that will help to support the drug's US regulatory approval application.

Dr Stephan Matthaei, primary study investigator and director of the diabetes and metabolism centre at Germany's Quakenbruck Hospital, said: "The improvements in glycaemic control combined with the significant reduction in body weight observed in this study add to the clinical profile of dapagliflozin."

This comes after Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca received a recommendation for the drug from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence earlier this year.