Eli Lilly reports head-to-head Byetta results

Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals have announced the results of a head-to-head study comparing Byetta (exenatide) injection with Januvia (sitagliptin) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Data presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Rome, revealed patients treated with Byetta reduced post-meal glucagon and showed more efficient use of the insulin made by their own bodies.

These individuals also decreased their food intake compared to those treated with Januvia.

The study met its primary endpoint, as patients treated with Byetta had a significantly improved post-eating glucose level when compared to Januvia in response to a standard meal.

Ralph DeFronzo, professor of medicine and chief of the Diabetes Division at the University of Texas Health Science Centre in San Antonio, said: “There has been some confusion in the marketplace about the therapeutic differences between Byetta and Januvia.”

He added that the data from this trial shows a clear difference in the mechanism of action between both agents, with resulting differences in short-term clinical effects.

Last month, Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals provided additional context for an alert from the US Food and Drug Administration relating to Byetta and the risk of pancreatitis.