Exenatide shows sustained glucose control with weight loss

Long-term, interim results from the DURATION-1 study presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in New Orleans  showed sustained glucose control with weight loss, as well as  improvements in systolic blood pressure and triglycerides, through two  years of treatment with once-weekly exenatide, an investigational  therapy for type 2 diabetes.

In the controlled portion of the open-label study sponsored jointly by  Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly and Alkermes, patients received  exenatide once weekly or Byetta (exenatide) injection for 30 weeks,  followed by 74 weeks of treatment with exenatide once weekly for all  patients during an open-ended assessment period. Significant reductions  in A1C of 1.7% and fasting plasma glucose of 40mg/dL were maintained  after two years of treatment. 65% of patients achieved an A1C of 7% or  less body weight was significantly reduced, with patients losing an  average of 5.8 pounds. Serum lipid profiles were significantly improved,  and there was a substantial reduction in systolic blood pressure.

Nausea was the most common event during the 30-week treatment period and  decreased over time, occurring in 12% of patients during the 74-week  assessment when all patients were receiving exenatide once weekly. No  severe hypoglycemia was observed.