Lilly receives EU approval for Bydureon

Lilly has been granted European marketing authorisation for Bydureon, the first ever once-weekly treatment for type 2 diabetes.

The European Commission has ratified the drug for sale based on positive data from clinical studies, which showed the drug was able to deliver improvements in glycaemic control, as well as weight loss benefits.

Bydureon has been developed in collaboration with Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Alkermes and is designed for administration in combination with metformin, sulfonylurea and thiazolidinedione.

The partners are now hoping to receive approval for the new product in other key territories, including the US, where it is currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration.

Enrique Conterno, president of Lilly Diabetes, said: "As the global impact of diabetes continues to expand, so does the need for innovative medicines to help people living with diabetes successfully fit treatment into their lives."

Later this month, Lilly will present data on new diabetes drugs such as Tradjenta at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, in association with partner Boehringer Ingelheim.