Takeda brings a halt to fasiglifam diabetes drug

Takeda has voluntarily terminated the development of fasiglifam in a bid to improve its diabetes treatments.

The company said it has worked with three independent panels – the Data Monitoring Committee, Liver Safety Evaluation Committee and Executive Committee – to ensure the safety of the type 2 diabetes drug during its phase III development programme.

It claimed that after careful consideration, it has decided the benefits of treating patients with fasiglifam do not outweigh the risks.

The company stated: "Takeda remains committed to the development of novel treatments for diabetes a disease which represents a growing health burden for people worldwide."

Diabetes represents one of the organisation's core areas of operation and its products such as Pioglitazone Hydrochloride and Alogliptin Benzoate are sold across the world.

The company recently submitted a new drug application to the Japanese government for the treatment of ethylene glycol and methanol poisonings.