Final results of VIAject vs. RHI Phase 3 study in type 2 diabetes patients presented at 70th ADA

The final results of a six-month, multi-center, open-label Phase 3 study of VIAject® (more-rapid-acting injectable human insulin) versus regular human insulin (RHI) in 471 patients with type 2 diabetes were presented today by Helena Rodbard, M.D., at the 70th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association.  Dr. Rodbard was a principal investigator of this study, which was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VIAject® versus regular human insulin when used in combination with insulin glargine.

In today's presentation (#36-OR) during the oral session on insulin therapy, Dr. Rodbard reported that patients with type 2 diabetes receiving VIAject® achieved hemoglobin A1c control similar to that for patients receiving RHI, but with a two-fold reduction in rates of hypoglycemia and significantly less weight gain.  The reduction in levels of hemoglobin A1c was similar in both groups (VIAject® -0.56%, RHI -0.70%) while non-severe hypoglycemic event rates were significantly reduced in patients treated with VIAject® (0.33 events/month) compared to RHI (0.66 events/month) (p<0.02).  Patients who received VIAject® gained an average of 0.46 kilograms while patients who received RHI gained an average of 1.35 kg (p<0.02).  Dr. Rodbard reported that the prevalence of injection site pain or irritation was higher in the VIAject® group but that this declined during the course of the study.  She also noted that the proposed U-100 pH-neutral commercial formulation of VIAject® is associated with less injection site discomfort than the U-25 pH 4 VIAject® used in this study and would avoid the need for reconstituting the drug.   In the trial, insulin antibody levels and other laboratory tests monitoring safety were similar for both groups.  

Dr. Rodbard commented, "This study demonstrated the non-inferiority of the new more-rapid-acting injectable human insulin versus regular human insulin and the favorable impact of the faster-acting insulin on hypoglycemia and weight gain, two key side effects of currently marketed insulins which can be difficult to manage.  These findings are encouraging and suggest that we can achieve proper glycemic control with reduced hypoglycemia and weight gain through the use of a more-rapid-acting form of human insulin.  I believe these results represent a meaningful advance in the treatment of type 2 diabetes."  Dr. Rodbard is a practicing endocrinologist based in Rockville, Maryland, a Master of the American College of Endocrinology (MACE), a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and past president of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.  

This study is one of two Phase 3 controlled clinical trials sponsored by Biodel Inc. (Nasdaq: BIOD) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VIAject® as a treatment for diabetes.  The results of the companion Phase 3 study of VIAject® in patients with type 1 diabetes will be presented at the ADA meeting in a poster (#642-P) by Hollander et al. on June 26 from 12 – 2pm EDT.  Biodel is seeking U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance to market VIAject® based upon results from pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and standardized meal studies, the two pivotal 6-month Phase 3 clinical trials of VIAject® in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as results from long-term, 18-month safety extension trials for patients who completed the two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials.  The Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date for Biodel's new drug application is expected to be October 30, 2010.