The lead diabetes drug Candidate of Diamyd Medical - Diamydâ„¢ - demonstrated significant efficacy in preserving insulin production in those with type 1 diabetes.

The results from the Diamydâ„¢ study demonstrate that the group of 35 recently diagnosed Type 1 diabetes patients that received Diamydâ„¢ produced approximately twice as much meal stimulated insulin (as measured by C-peptide) 15 months after the first treatment as compared to the placebo group (p ~ 0.01). Preserving insulin-production is crucial for delaying the complications associated with long-term diabetes which cost billions of dollars to treat.

Diamydâ„¢ has shown statistically significant efficacy not only in type 1 diabetes but also in the autoimmune form of Type 2 diabetes (LADA). The drug works by preserving insulin production of beta cells.

The ability of the beta cells to produce insulin in response to a meal is considered to be the key factor when it comes to assessing beta cell function. As insulin and C-peptide are produced in equal amounts and C-peptide is easier to measure, meal stimulated C-peptide levels are the most important parameter to follow in a Type 1 diabetes study where the aim is to preserve beta cell function.

The C-peptide production in both groups experienced a decline but the decline was significantly inhibited in the Diamyd(TM) group. There were no significant differences in fasting C-peptide levels between the two groups. The treatment itself consisted of two injections of 20 mg Diamyd(TM), one at day one and one at day 30.

Experts agree that the results are encouraging and that Diamydâ„¢ is a breakthrough treatment fro type 1 diabetes.

Find more details from Medical News Today.