Diabetes Drugs and Medication in Development

New research constantly uncovers new diabetes drugs that are developed by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies through several clinical trial phases.

To be approved for use amongst people with diabetes, new diabetes drugs and medications must go through stringent testing to ensure their efficiency.

Most new diabetes drugs serve a specific purpose, such as better controlling blood glucose or increasing the efficiency of another medication.

Drugs can take up to 10 years to come to the market. When drugs are referenced in the media about their positive impact on mice or other test subjects, it is often several years before they are tested on humans.

The following diabetes drugs are currently under development.

Diabetes drug treatments currently in development

• New drug treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
• New drug treatments for Type 2 diabetes
• New drug treatments for Type 1 diabetes
• New drug treatments for diabetes complications

New drug treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

The following drug is in development for the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

NN1250/Insulin Degludec

NN1250/Insulin Degludec is being developed by Novo Nordisk and has reached phase 3 clinical trials. This is a completely neutral, soluble, and subcutaneous ultra-long-acting new-generation insulin that lasts for over 24 hours. This insulin is designed for basal insulin treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Also under development is NN5401/Insulin DegludecPlus.

New drug treatments for Type 2 diabetes

Dapagliflozin

Dapagliflozin is a new type of drug in a drug class called ‘SGLT2 inhibitors’. The way the drug works is to prevent glucose from being reabsorbed by the kidneys and therefore causes a higher amount of glucose to be removed from the blood and excreted via the urine.

The drug, produced by Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca, is currently at phase 3 of clinical studies but and is awaiting a decision from the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as to whether the drug will be approved for marketing. A decision had been expected in 2011 but worries over safety have pushed the decision back until more evidence is available for review.

Aleglitazar

Aleglitazar is a in a class of drugs known as ‘dual PPAR modulators’. Dual PPAR modulators are insulin sensitizers and work in a similar to drugs such as Pioglitazone (Actos) and the recently banned Rosiglitazone (Avandia).

Phase 2 clinical trials have been completed for Aleglitazar and participants in phase 3 trials are being recruited.

New drug treatments for Type 1 diabetes

DiaPep277

DiaPep277 is being developed by Teva/Andromeda biotech and is currently at phase 3 clinical trial stage. DiaPep277 falls into the class of injectable synthetic peptides, and is made up of 24 amino acids that are derived from the human heat shock protein 60 (HSP60).

This particular peptide helps to modulate immune system function by diminishing or entirely blocking the destruction of beta cells by the immune system. This helps to preserve beta-cell function amongst people with new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus.

GAD-alum/rhGAD65

GAD-alum/rhGAD65 is being developed by Diamyd Medical/Ortho-McNeil Janssen Pharmaceutical. This vaccine helps to preserve beta cell function amongst recent-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus and has also reached phase 3 clinical trial. The vaccine is injectable subcutaneously.

• Latest news: Diamyd type 1 diabetes vaccine stalls in European trials - 10 May 2011
  The vaccine delivered disappointing results in European phase 3 trials and the American phase 3 study has been halted as a result. A further phase 2 clinical trial is set to be run under new conditions

Otelixizumab

Otelixizumab is under development by Tolerx/GlaxoSmithKline and failed to meet a phase 3 goal in March 2011. This is an MAb (monoclonal antibody) that is intravenous and injectable anti-CD3. This MAb may serve to block the function of T cells that erroneously attack and destroy pancreatic beta cells. These cells produce insulin and their destruction is behind diabetes in many type 1 patients.

The MAb is also thought to stimulate regulatory T cells that may help protect effector T cell damage. The medication is designed to treat new onset type 1 diabetes mellitus.

MGA031/hOKT3γ1/teplizumab (Ala-Ala)

This drug is being developed by Eli Lilly/MacroGenic. It is currently at phase 3 and is an intravenously humanised anti-CD3 MAb which could help to inhibit autoimmune response that damages pancreatic beta cells.

The drug is designed for patients with recent onset type 1 diabetes aged 8 or over.

New drug treatments for diabetic complications

Arxxant

Eli Lilly appear to have come one step closer to cracking one of the diabetes drug mysteries - how to target the complications caused by the disease. Arxxant, a new drug from Eli Lilly, promises to block the enzyme thought to be responsible for the damage leading to these complications.

Arxxant (also known as ruboxistaurin) has been submitted to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for approval in treating diabetic eye damage.

Following FDA approval, the drug may then spread worldwide after relevant approval is granted. Arxxant tailored to prevent other complications is perhaps a thing of the future.

Arxxant is currently undergoing clinical trials which are due to finish in 2011.