Takeda commences phase III clinical trials for TAK-875

Takeda has begun phase III clinical testing of its developmental type 2 diabetes drug TAK-875 in Japan.

The company has initiated three separate studies of the new GPR40 agonist, including a multicentre double-blind controlled trial that will evaluate the efficacy and safety of the drug compared to placebo.

It will focus on patients with type 2 diabetes who have proven unable to achieve adequate glycaemic control through diet and exercise therapies alone, with the drug expected to offer improved glycaemic effects with a minimal risk of hypoglycaemia.

TAK-875 was discovered by Takeda via its research into G-protein-coupled receptors expressed in pancreatic islet cells, with the compound functioning by increasing insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner.

Dr Nancy Joseph-Ridge, corporate officer and general manager for the pharmaceutical development division of Takeda, said: "We are developing TAK-875 globally, with Japan being the first region to begin phase III trials … This will provide a new diabetes treatment option for patients and healthcare professionals as efficiently as possible."

This comes after the company began phase III testing of another type 2 diabetes drug, SYR-472, in Japan last week.