“Effect of Taspoglutide, a Human GLP-1 Analog, on Insulin Secretion in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)”
Ipsen (Paris:IPN) (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) a global biopharmaceutical group, today announced that its partner Roche disclosed results of five Phase III 24-week studies for taspoglutide for type 2 diabetes at the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) 70th Annual Scientific Sessions. Taspoglutide, the first once weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue based on a human sequence, originating from Ipsen's research is developed by Roche. This compound is similar to the natural hormone GLP-1 which has a key role in blood sugar regulation.
Three head-to-head comparisons against exenatide, sitagliptin and insulin glargine found that treatment with taspoglutide showed comparable or greater reductions in HbA1c levels with a low risk of hypoglycemia, resulted in more patients reaching the ADA target for HbA1c of <7.0%, and produced clinically meaningful weight loss.
Two additional Phase III studies showed that taspoglutide, when used alone or added to metformin (the most common first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes), significantly reduced HbA1c and body weight with low risk of hypoglycemia. Further studies suggest that taspoglutide may help restore a normal insulin response as well as potentially preserving insulin-producing beta cells and subsequently protect them from cell death.
In the studies, taspoglutide was administered once a week with a pre-filled, disposable syringe with a small-gauge needle.