Ipsen hails phase III trial performance of taspoglutide

Ipsen has hailed the positive findings from a phase III clinical trial programme for the type 2 diabetes drug taspoglutide, saying it illustrates the drug’s promising nature.

The firm’s development partner Roche has published data from five studies at the American Diabetes Association’s Annual Scientific Sessions, showing the drug’s efficacy in reducing glycosylated haemoglobin levels and body weight, as well as the risk of hypoglycaemia.

Three of these trials also involved head-to-head comparisons to alternative treatments, with taspoglutide proving to offer comparable or superior performance to exenatide, sitagliptin and insulin glargine.

Jean-Luc Belingard, chairman and chief executive officer of Ipsen, said this shows the “competitive positioning of this promising compound” in treating diabetes.

He added: “We are confident that the ongoing clinical programme will further establish taspoglutide as a potential best-in-class with the added convenience of a once-a-week injection.”

Last week, Ipsen reported data from a new clinical trial of the Alzheimer’s disease drug EGb 761, demonstrating its long-term safety and efficacy.