Lilly diabetes drug dulaglutide meets late-stage study goals

Eli Lilly and Co has announced that its experimental diabetes drug dulaglutide achieved the main goal of reducing blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes in two additional late-stage studies.
Results from two recently completed Phase III clinical trials for dulaglutide showed that the long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist proved superior to Sanofi’s Lantus (insulin glargine) in reducing HbA1c.
In the AWARD-2 study, a 1.5mg weekly dose of dulaglutide significantly lowered HbA1c from baseline compared to insulin glargine at 52 weeks in type 2 patients who were already on metformin and glimepiride .
Dulaglutide combined with Humalog (insulin lispro) also demonstrated statistically superior reduction in HbA1c from baseline compared to insulin glargine in combination with insulin lispro at 26 weeks, according to results from the AWARD 4 trial.
Lilly said the data will be used along with positive results from three other completed AWARD studies, reported in October, to support a marketing application for its new once-weekly type 2 diabetes medication.
“Dulaglutide, if approved, further advances our efforts to offer a broad portfolio of therapies for people with diabetes, many of whom have unique needs,” said Enrique Conterno, president of Lilly Diabetes.
He added that detailed findings from the AWARD trials will be presented at upcoming scientific meetings.