Sanofi-aventis reports positive trial data for diabetes drug

Sanofi-aventis has published new clinical trial data which illustrates the potential benefits offered by its new type 2 diabetes drug lixisenatide.

The once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist monotherapy has been assessed in a 12-week phase III study involving 361 patients, with the aim of comparing the treatment's performance to placebo.

It was found that Sanofi-aventis' new drug was able to deliver significant improvements in glycaemic control with a pronounced postprandial effect, while also demonstrating an acceptable safety profile.

The study represents the first stage of a new clinical trial programme called GetGoal, from which further phase III data will be released in the second quarter of 2011.

Dr John Gerich of the University of Rochester School of Medicine, an investigator of the GetGoal study, said: "The pronounced effect on postprandial glucose control provides a rationale to investigate the combined effect of lixisenatide and long-acting insulins in patients with type 2 diabetes."

Earlier this week, Sanofi-aventis announced plans to launch BGStar and iBGStar, two new blood glucose monitoring devices which will help diabetes patients to self-monitor their condition more effectively.