Imeglimin-sitagliptin significantly beneficial for type 2 diabetes

French pharmaceutical firm Poxel has revealed the effectiveness of its type 2 diabetes drug imeglimin is boosted when used as add-on therapy to sitagliptin (Januvia).
The drug achieved its main target of significantly lowering blood sugar levels (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose in patients whose diabetes was inadequately controlled with sitagliptin monotherapy.
In a Phase II trial, researchers analysed the benefits of adding imeglimin – the first in a new group of unique anti-diabetic compounds called glimins – to sitagliptin in 150 subjects.
The results showed that patients treated with a combination of the two drugs for 12 weeks experienced a 0.73 per cent reduction in HbA1c, compared to sitagliptin-placebo treatment. The imeglimin-sitagliptin therapy also showed great tolerability and safety.
Professor Harold Lebovitz, a prominent member of Poxel’s scientific advisory board, said the impressive results “confirm the attractiveness of Imeglimin for both regulators and future prescribers”.
“The molecule is unique and demonstrates its great efficacy potential in monotherapy as in combination with the two most important molecules on the treatment armamentarium today, metformin and sitagliptin “.
Poxel CEO Thomas Kuhn commented: “This second positive clinical trial demonstrates Imeglimin’s potential to complement the efficacy of major drugs, which brings further value to our compound and added confidence in its further development.”
“Within the type 2 diabetes landscape, Imeglimin is ahead in a race where new entrants have yet to prove their efficacy, their combinability and their safety.”