Novartis reports ‘robust efficacy and tolerability’ of Galvus

Novartis has announced the publication of new clinical data assessing the efficacy and tolerability of Galvus (vildagliptin) as a treatment for patients with type two diabetes.

The company reports that uncontrolled patients with the condition already being treated with metformin were four times more likely to attain recommended blood sugar levels through the addition of the compound to their treatment regimen than those adding a placebo.

Furthermore, Galvus was found to be well tolerated in mild renal impairment patients, while also displaying strong efficacy and tolerability in older patients – a rising patient group for the type two diabetes.

The results were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, while the firm expressed its belief that the compound will be shortly approved by European regulators as an add-on therapy for commonly prescribed oral antidiabetics.

James Shannon, global head of development at Novartis, said: “Clinical trials have consistently demonstrated the robust efficacy and good tolerability of Galvus in combination with many oral diabetes therapies.”

He added that the compound has shown its benefits in a broad range of patients without resulting in the adverse effects seen in users of thiazolidinedione or sulfonylureas.

In November 2006, Novartis reported that Galvus has a lower efficacy than metformin, but exhibited better gastrointestinal tolerability than the older drug.