Lilly publishes phase III data for linagliptin

Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim have announced new phase III trial data for Tradjenta (linagliptin) as a treatment for African-American patients with type 2 diabetes.

A 5 mg once-daily dosage of the drug showed a significant improvement in blood sugar, with a haemoglobin A1c reduction of 0.88 percent compared with 0.24 percent in the placebo group.

According to Lilly, the trial represents the first published study of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes specifically conducted in black or African-American patients.

Lead investigator James Thrasher of the Arkansas Diabetes and Endocrinology Center said the findings "support the efficacy and safety profile of linagliptin as a treatment option for African-American adult patients" who have type 2 diabetes.

He added: "An important finding of this trial is that the results are consistent with the A1C reduction seen in the linagliptin pivotal trial."

Linagliptin, which is jointly marketed by Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in May 2011.