Study: Exenatide sustains blood glucose control, weight loss

NEW ORLEANS An investigational once-weekly treatment for Type 2 diabetes produced sustained blood glucose control and weight loss, according to results of a clinical study presented Sunday at the American Diabetes Association’s 69th annual scientific sessions.

Eli Lilly & Co., Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Alkermes also said the once-weekly formulation of exenatide improved systolic blood pressure and reduced triglycerides. The study, called DURATION-1, enrolled 295 patients and followed them for two years. The companies, which already market a formulation of the drug under the brand name Byetta, have submitted an approval application for the drug with the Food and Drug Administration.

“These two-year DURATION-1 data showed that maintenance of steady state concentrations of exenatide may result in sustained improvements in glycemic control, with potential weight loss,” Amylin SVP research and development Orville Kolterman said in a statement. “In DURATION-1, exenatide once weekly has been shown to provide superior glycemic control, with weight loss [compared with Byetta].”