Zealand Pharma and Sanofi-Aventis (France)’s Antidiabetic Sees Phase III Success

GENE -- Zealand Pharma and partner sanofi-aventis reported positive data from the largest of its nine-trial Phase III program evaluating the once-daily GLP-1 agonist lixisenatide in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. The placebo-controlled GetGoal-S study showed lixisenatide therapy led to significant reductions in HbA1c levels and body weight, and improved glycemic control from baseline. The 24-week study involved 859 patients with type 2 diabetes whose disease was inadequately controlled by sulfonylureas, with or without metformin. Enrolled patients were randomized to receive either lixisenatide or placebo in step-wise increasing doses.