Diabetes Drugs: the next generation
The next decade is likely to be an exciting one in the field of diabetes treatment. Experimental drugs, new therapies and refined methods are all likely to make the lives of diabetes sufferers easier. This section of diabetes.co.uk concentrates on the most exciting diabetes drugs of the near future.
Keep an eye on this section of diabetes.co.uk: it will be updated as and when exciting new drugs and treatments occur.
Arxxant
Eli
Lilly appear to have come one step closer to cracking one of the diabetes
drug mysteries – how to target the complications caused by the disease.
Arxxant, a new drug from Eli Lilly, promises to block the enzyme thought
to be responsible for the damage leading to these complications.
Although at a relatively early phase, Arxxant (also known as ruboxistaurin)
has been submitted to the powerful FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for
approval in treating diabetic eye damage. Following FDA approval, the drug
may then spread worldwide after relevant approval is granted. Arxxant tailored
to prevent other complications is perhaps a thing of the future.
Galida
Astrazeneca
have created a drug that targets particular cellular signals that could
control cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar. The signals, known
as peroxisome proliferation activation receptors (PPARs), could hold major
hope for a diabetes cure. Galida, a new drug from Astrazeneca, is now entering
late-stage trials. Major contenders in this race include Merck, Lilly,
and GlaxoSmithKline.
Galvus
The
new wonder drug from Novartis, known as galvus (generic name: vildagliptin/LAF237),
is at a late stage of clinical trials. The pill would work to control blood
sugar only once it became too high, lowering the risk of hypoglycaemic
events amongst diabetics. Other similar contenders include Januvia by Merck
and a drug created by troubled company Bristol-Myers.
Januvia
Merck submitted an application to the FDA for Januvia (known as MK-0431) in February 2006. This was ahead of schedule, and beat similar drugs including Galvus. Galvus and Januvia are now involved in a race to become the first pill to raise levels of a protein called “glucagons-like peptide.” Like Galvus, this would mean Januvia cutting hypoglycaemia. Merck also hope that the drug will trigger weight loss amongst diabetics, a side effect that has caused Byetta to become enormously successful.
