BMS & AstraZeneca : Dapagliflozin Study Demonstrated Improved Glycemic Control In Type 2 Diabetes Patients Treated With High Doses of Insulin...

June 06, 2009 -Results from a 12-week study demonstrated that the investigational drug dapagliflozin, a novel, selective, sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, produced greater improvements across all key glycemic measures studied [glycosylated hemoglobin level (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and post-prandial glucose (PPG)] in type 2 diabetes patients who were treated with high doses of insulin and commonly used oral anti-diabetes medications (OADs), compared to placebo (placebo plus OADs plus insulin).

Overall adverse events across the dapagliflozin treatment arms were reported at a similar rate to placebo. The study also showed that individuals receiving dapagliflozin had greater reductions in body weight compared to individuals taking placebo, and support the findings from a previous 12-week, Phase 2b study. Results from the 12-week study were presented at the 69^th American Diabetes Association Annual Scientific Sessions.

Dapagliflozin is an investigational SGLT2 inhibitor currently in Phase 3 trials under joint development by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) and AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) as a once-daily therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. SGLT2 facilitates the reabsorption of glucose in the kidney, thereby returning filtered glucose to the circulation.. BMS' Press Releases -

Halozyme : Phase 2 Insulin-PH20 Study Demonstrates Faster Insulin Absorption and Superior Glucose Control in Type 1 Diabetic Patients

Jun. 6, 2009 - Insulin-PH20 combination significantly reduced post-meal blood glucose concentration relative to treatment target resulting in reduced hyperglycemia - Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HALO) announced Phase 2 results that demonstrated faster insulin absorption and increased peak insulin concentrations in type 1 diabetic patients after co-administration of its recombinant hyaluronidase enzyme (PH20) with Humalog® (insulin lispro), a mealtime insulin analog. Study results also showed a significant reduction in postprandial blood glucose levels following administration of a standardized test meal, with improvements in both peak glycemic response and total hyperglycemic exposure compared to Humalog alone. Mean glucose levels after the meal challenge remained within current treatment targets throughout the eight hour post meal observation period. The company presented these results at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 69th Scientific Sessions today in New Orleans.

In addition, Halozyme announced that its first treatment study with three times per day mealtime dosing of Insulin-PH20 in type 1 diabetic patients began in May, ahead of the company’s previous guidance for a fourth quarter 2009 start date... Halozyme Therapeutics' Press release -

NOXXON : Initiation of First Clinical Trial with a Spiegelmer

June 08, 2009 - NOXXON Pharma AG (NOXXON) announced the successful initial dosing of healthy volunteers with Spiegelmer® NOX-E36 in the company’s first-in-human clinical trial. The Phase I program is currently underway in the United Kingdom following review and approval of the Clinical Trial Application by the Medicines and Health product Regulatory Authority (MHRA). The study will evaluate the tolerability, safety and pharmacokinetics in up to 72 individuals following intravenous and subcutaneous administration of anti-inflammatory Spiegelmer® NOX-E36. The results obtained in the Phase I trial will guide the Phase II program to be conducted in patients suffering from nephropathy...
...NOXXON is planning to develop NOX-E36 for the treatment of inflammatory kidney diseases including diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is a growing public health threat due to the high and continually growing incidence of type II diabetes. Approximately thirty percent of patients diagnosed with diabetes develop nephropathy; twenty percent of these patients suffer from end stage renal disease. Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause for chronic kideny disease and dialysis treatment in the Western world... [pdf] NOXXON's Press Release -

Covidien : Nationwide Our Resolution Movement

Jun. 18, 2009- Initiative Focuses on Role of Gastric Bypass Surgery in Resolving Type 2 Diabetes - As the rate of Type 2 Diabetes soars to epidemic proportions worldwide, Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, announced the launch of the Our Resolution movement, a collaboration of healthcare experts, nonprofit organizations, health agencies, patients and national spokespersons who share the goal of resolving Type 2 Diabetes.

According to the World Health Organization, the worldwide incidence of Type 2 Diabetes is projected to grow from 171 million cases currently to 366 million worldwide by 2030. In 2007, the overall economic cost of diabetes in the U.S. was estimated at $174 billion.

The Our Resolution movement specifically focuses on the discovery that gastric bypass surgery resolves Type 2 Diabetes in approximately 77 percent of morbidly obese patients. In fact, for many of these patients, their diabetes or need for medication is resolved within days of surgery. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, approximately 220,000 people in the U.S. had bariatric surgery in 2008. Studies show that those who had surgery dramatically reduced their risk of dying from an obesity-related disease, including the risk of death from diabetes, (down 92 percent), cancer (down 60 percent) and coronary artery disease (down 56 percent)... Covidien's Press Release -