Lilly, Amylin and Alkermes announce positive exenatide once weekly data

Lilly, Alkermes and Amylin have announced positive results from a comparative study into exenatide once weekly and BYETTA (exenatide) injection taken twice daily.

In a statement, the organisations explained that the trial involved patients with type 2 diabetes.

The study found that, after 24 weeks of receiving treatment, those who took exenatide once weekly experienced a statistically superior fall in A1C, which is a measure of average blood sugar over a three-month period.

Patients who took the drug – and those who received BYETTA – achieved statistically significant weight loss by the end of the trial.

Commenting on the results, Dr Orville Kolterman, senior vice-president of research and development at Amylin Pharmaceuticals, said that both drugs have the potential to improve blood sugar levels as measured by A1C.

“These results continue to suggest that if approved, exenatide once weekly could play an important role in advancing the treatment of type 2 diabetes by providing patients [with] the opportunity for improved A1C control and weight loss,” he added.

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