GlaxoSmithKline reports long-term diabetes drug efficacy data

GlaxoSmithKline has announced data from secondary analyses of a number of clinical trials that demonstrate the long-term benefits of Tanzeum/Eperzan, its type 2 diabetes therapy.

New findings from the four randomised phase III studies revealed that the once-weekly glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist continued to show blood glucose lowering effects at three years, consistent with results at the one-year primary endpoint.

Safety data for albiglutide in these studies were also consistent with the results observed up to year one. Phase III trials in type 2 diabetes are typically six months in duration, making these long-term results meaningful.

The four studies, entitled Harmony 1, 2, 4 and 5, evaluated GlaxoSmithKline's drug among patients at various stages of the disease, ranging from early-stage patients to people whose type 2 diabetes had advanced to a point requiring insulin therapy.

Vlad Hogenhuis, senior vice-president and head of the cardiovascular, metabolic and neurosciences franchise at GlaxoSmithKline, said: "We are proud to be able to present these data which further characterise the efficacy and safety profile of albiglutide."

This comes after the firm announced the commencement of a phase III cardiovascular outcomes study assessing the efficacy of its new drug losmapimod in acute coronary syndrome patients earlier this month.