Boehringer Ingelheim reports positive clinical data for new diabetes therapy

Boehringer Ingelheim has announced phase III clinical trial data that demonstrates the safety and efficacy of a new combination therapy for type 2 diabetes.

Data presented at the American Diabetes Association scientific sessions showed that empagliflozin in combination with metformin is able to successfully reduce blood glucose levels (HbA1c) in adults with type 2 diabetes.

All four of the trialled empagliflozin and metformin combination doses showed statistically significant reductions in HbA1c versus the individual components of empagliflozin or metformin over 24 weeks.

Professor Hans Woerle, vice-president and head of medicine for the metabolism therapeutic area at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: "We are encouraged that more adults achieved HbA1c levels lower than seven percent after 24 weeks in the empagliflozin and metformin combination group than either the metformin or empagliflozin group."

A fixed-dose combination of empagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride was approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Europe last month, with the therapy to be sold under the brand name Synjardy.

However, the combination therapy is not yet approved for first-line use.