Onglyza improves blood-sugar control in patients with high cardiovascular disease risk

PRINCETON, N.J. — A drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca improved several measures of blood-sugar control in Type 2 diabetes patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Monday.



The drug makers announced results of a 1,681-patient phase-3 trial of Onglyza (saxagliptin), in which patients received 5-mg doses of the drug. Results of the 24-week trial showed improved blood-sugar control as measured by HbA1C, fasting plasma glucose and post-meal glucose compared with placebo. Results of the study were presented Monday at the 17th World Congress on Heart Disease in Toronto.



"The population of patients with Type 2 diabetes who are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease was highlighted in a recently issued position statement by the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes," lead study investigator and AstraZeneca global medical affairs manager William Cook said.



The drug, combined with exercise and changes in diet, is already approved for various patients with Type 2 diabetes.

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