Boehringer Ingelheim receives EU approval for new diabetes drug Synjardy

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced that its new type 2 diabetes therapy Synjardy has been approved by the European Commission.

The new single-pill combination therapy was developed in collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly, and combines the compounds empagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride into one treatment.

Synjardy is indicated for use alongside diet and exercise to improve blood glucose control in patients who are inadequately controlled with other therapies. It has proven its safety and efficacy across a series of seven phase III clinical trials.

Professor Klaus Dugi, chief medical officer at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: "Synjardy may help adults with type 2 diabetes achieve their blood glucose targets with the added benefit of a convenient treatment regimen."

Empagliflozin was approved in the EU in May 2014 and is available in many countries as an oral, once-daily tablet under the brand name Jardiance.

Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly have been working together on diabetes research since 2011, with the collaboration having also led to the launch of therapies such as Trajenta and Jentadueto.