Merck Sharp and Dohme and Pfizer report positive diabetes drug trial data

Merck Sharp and Dohme and Pfizer have announced results from two phase III clinical trials showing the safety and efficacy of a new treatment for type 2 diabetes.

The two studies, VERTIS Mono and VERTIS Factorial, were carried out to assess the performance of the investigational oral SGLT-2 inhibitor among patients with type 2 diabetes, and were able to meet their primary endpoints.

Findings from the trials demonstrated statistically significant reductions in average blood glucose levels for both ertugliflozin doses tested. The drug was shown to be efficacious both when used as a monotherapy or when administered in combination with Januvia.

The results of these two studies were recently presented by the two companies at the scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association in New Orleans.

Dr Peter Stein, vice-president of diabetes and endocrinology late-stage development at Merck Sharp and Dohme, said: "We are encouraged that these first phase III studies of investigational ertugliflozin met their primary endpoints for ertugliflozin as a monotherapy and in combination with sitagliptin, and we look forward to progressing the VERTIS clinical development programme with Pfizer."

An ongoing cardiovascular outcomes trial of ertugliflozin will now be expanded to test the drug's superiority in cardiovascular risk reduction.