AstraZeneca Plc (LON:AZN) today announced that the European Commission has approved Bydureon BCise (exenatide 2mg prolonged-release suspension for injection in pre-filled pen) as a new formulation within the marketing authorisation for Bydureon (exenatide extended release) for the treatment of patients with type-2 diabetes.
The new formulation of once-weekly Bydureon is an improved single-dose, pre-filled pen device that requires no titration and is approved for use in combination with other glucose-lowering medicines, including basal insulin, to help improve glycaemic control in adults with type-2 diabetes whose blood sugar levels are inadequately controlled by other glucose-lowering medicines together with diet and exercise.
This approval is supported by data from two clinical trials, DURATION-NEO-1 and NEO-2. DURATION-NEO-1 is a 28-week, randomised, open-label, comparator-controlled trial (n=375), which showed that once-weekly Bydureon BCise demonstrated an HbA1c reduction of 1.4% vs. 1.0% for twice-daily Byetta (exenatide) injection at 28 weeks (baseline HbA1c 8.5% and 8.4%, respectively). Additionally, Bydureon BCise demonstrated a mean weight reduction of -1.5 Kg as monotherapy vs. -1.9 Kg (baseline was 97 Kg) when combined with certain oral antidiabetic medicines.
Elisabeth Björk, Vice President, Head of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, Global Medicines Development at AstraZeneca, said: “Building on the already well-established efficacy and safety profile of once-weekly Bydureon, today’s approval of Bydureon BCise will enable us to offer an additional treatment option for patients with type-2 diabetes whose blood sugar levels are inadequately controlled by other glucose-lowering medicines together with diet and exercise.”
This new formulation of once-weekly Bydureon BCise was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2017.
About AstraZeneca in Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism (CVRM)
Cardiovascular, renal and metabolism together forms one of AstraZeneca’s main therapy areas and key growth drivers. By following the science to understand more clearly the underlying links between the heart, kidneys and pancreas, AstraZeneca is investing in a portfolio of medicines to protect organs and improve outcomes by slowing disease progression, reducing risks and tackling co-morbidities. Our ambition is to modify or halt the natural course of CVRM diseases and potentially regenerate organs and restore function, by continuing to deliver transformative science that improves treatment practices and cardiovascular health for millions of patients worldwide.
About AstraZeneca Plc
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas – Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.
