Boehringer Ingelheim exploring full potential of linagliptin

Boehringer Ingelheim is waiting for further clinical study results in order to examine linagliptin’s full potential of treating type 2 diabetes.

Trials so far have found when the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor is administered as an add-on therapy to patients, who are not controlled effectively with metformin, there are notable reductions in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels.

Under therapeutic conditions, the drug was also found to be safe and tolerable.

Dr Manfred Haehl, senior vice-president of the company’s medicine division, explained metformin is commonly used to manage the condition, but added many sufferers do not achieve adequate glycaemic control by taking it on its own.

“Based on the results seen to date, we are very confident that linagliptin, if approved, can provide additional benefit to patients with type 2 diabetes,” he commented.

Physicians trying to help patients with the illness need to have a range of treatment options available and Boehringer Ingelheim is now exploring how effective linagliptin is, Dr Haehl concluded.

Last month, the business announced an agreement with DeveloGen to develop work in the field of diabetes, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and other insulin resistance associated disorders.