Linagliptin significantly reduces blood glucose levels in T2D patients with moderate to severe renal impairment

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced results from a new study in which linagliptin demonstrated statistically significant reductions in blood glucose levels (HbA_1c) after 12 weeks (the study's primary endpoint) in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with moderate to severe renal impairment, compared with placebo. Most patients had T2D for more than ten years (76 percent) and were on insulin (86 percent).

Over an extension period (week 12 to week 52), patients treated with linagliptin had an overall improvement in blood glucose levels that was similar to those patients who had initially received placebo for 12 weeks and were thereafter switched to glimepiride for the remaining 40 weeks. Patients treated with linagliptin had a lower rate of hypoglycemia compared to those treated with glimepiride.

"These findings add to the growing body of knowledge for health care providers managing the increasing number of patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment," said Christophe Arbet-Engels MD, PhD, vice president, metabolic-clinical development and medical affairs, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "Special considerations should be taken when prescribing treatments for the nearly two-thirds of people living with type 2 diabetes who are at risk of declining renal function."