Positive results of a comparator study of once-weekly exenatide long-acting release (LAR) injection and byetta® (exenatide) injection taken twice daily in patients with type 2 diabetes have recently been announced by Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company and Alkermes, Inc..

Once-weekly exenatide, an investigational drug, showed a statistically significant improvement in A1C of approximately 1.9 percentage points from baseline, compared to an improvement of approximately 1.5 percentage points for BYETTA®.

Approximately three out of four subjects treated with once-weekly exenatide achieved an A1C of 7 percent or less. A1C of less than 7 percent is the target for good glucose control as recommended by the American Diabetes Association.

Indicated for use twice a day in adults with type 2 diabetes who are unsuccessful at controlling their blood sugar levels using common oral diabetes medications - BYETTA® - is the first and only FDA-approved incretin mimetic approved in April 2005 by the FDA.




Now, the once-weekly exenatide long-acting release (LAR) injection is still in the pipeline which Amylin (and its collaborators) expect to file for FDA approval in mid-2009.

While we have heard so many positive feedback from those using BYETTA®, now it is even getting better with the new version.

Find more details from the Amylin Pharma press release.

[Photo Credit: NY Times]