Bristol Churns Out Diabetes Data

New York-based Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: [[ticker:BMY]]) and development partner AstraZeneca (NYSE: [[ticker:AZN]]) released data from several studies at the 71st American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in San Diego. In a Phase 3 extension study, the investigational compound dapagliflozin plus metformin produced sustained gylcemic control and weight reduction in patients with Type 2 diabetes. In a longer-term, Phase 3 study, the same combination sustained reductions of blood-sugar levels from 52 weeks to 104 weeks, when compared to a commonly used sulphonylurea treatment. The companies also released data from two 24-week studies showing that that dapagliflozin plus metformin XR significantly reduced blood sugar levels compared to dapagliflozin or metformin XR alone plus placebo. Dapagliflozin is currently under review at the FDA, which is expected to hand down a decision by October 28.

Author: Arlene Weintraub

Arlene is an award-winning journalist specializing in life sciences and technology. She was previously a senior health writer based out of the New York City headquarters of BusinessWeek, where she wrote hundreds of articles that explored both the science and business of health. Her freelance pieces have been published in USA Today, US News & World Report, Technology Review, and other media outlets. Arlene has won awards from the New York Press Club, the Association of Health Care Journalists, the Foundation for Biomedical Research, and the American Society of Business Publication Editors. Her book about the anti-aging industry, Selling the Fountain of Youth, was published by Basic Books in September 2010. View all posts by Arlene Weintraub