Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca report positive Onglyza data

Bristol-Myers Squibb and partner AstraZeneca have reported positive new trial data for their cooperatively developed diabetes drug Onglyza.

The companies have conducted a phase IIIb extension study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the drug when added to ongoing insulin therapy over the course of 52 weeks.

It was found that patients trialled using Onglyza experienced stable reductions of blood sugar levels compared to placebo, while those in the control group also saw a greater increase from baseline mean daily insulin dose.

Dr Anthony Barnett of the University of Birmingham and Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, the principal investigator of the study, said it is vital that any new diabetes drug should demonstrate efficacy when used alongside insulin.

"This is the first longer-term study to report that Onglyza 5mg, used with insulin, maintains improvement in glucose control over 24 to 52 weeks in adult patients with type 2 diabetes," he added.

Earlier this year, the companies published positive new data for another collaboratively created diabetes drug, dapagliflozin, which showed its efficacy when combined with metformin.