FDA approves J&J diabetes drug

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Johnson & Johnson for treating Type 2 diabetes, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of J&J subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals' Invokana (canagliflozin) tablets, designed for use with diet and exercise to improve blood-sugar control in adults with the disease.

"Invokana is the first diabetes treatment approved in a new class of drugs known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors," FDA Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products director Mary Parks said. "We continue to advance innovation with the approval of the new drug classes that provide additional treatment options for chronic conditions that impact public health."

The drug works by blocking the kidney from reabsorbing blood-sugar, also known as glucose, thereby increasing glucose excretion and lowering blood-glucose levels.