European Commission approves Zynquista for type 1 diabetes

A new treatment has been approved for use in Europe for people with type 1 diabetes.
Zynquista (sotagliflozin) is an oral tablet which inhibits the SGLT-1 and SGLT-2 proteins that influence how the intestines and kidneys absorb glucose, resulting in improved diabetes control.
The drug, a joint venture between Sanofi and Lexico, has been designed for people on insulin with type 1 diabetes. The approval will apply to adults with type 1 diabetes with a body mass index of 27 kg/m2 or greater who struggle to control their blood sugar levels.
The decision to make the drug available was based on a series of clinical studies, which involved around 3,000 people.
The findings showed Zynquista helped reduce average blood sugar levels, body weight, and blood pressure and improved time within target blood glucose range.
Thomas Danne, Professor of Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital Auf der Bult in Germany, said: “Millions of people across Europe who live with type 1 diabetes struggle to control their blood sugar, even with optimal insulin therapy.
“For the many people living with type 1 diabetes who are overweight or obese, Zynquista will offer a new treatment option physicians can now consider in combination with insulin therapy for appropriate patients.”
Sanofi’s global head of research and development, Dr John Reed, said: “Zynquista’s dual mechanism of action provides important treatment benefits for adults with type 1 diabetes, including reducing blood sugar reabsorption in the kidneys through SGLT-2 inhibition and delaying dietary sugar absorption through local SGLT-1 inhibition in the intestinal tract.”
Zynquista’s European approval follows an approval for dapagliflozin for type 1 diabetes in February. Dapagliflozi, marketed as Forxiga, became the first oral medication to receive European approval for use in adults with type 1 diabetes when insulin alone does not provide sufficient control of blood glucose. Forxiga (dapagliflozin) in an SGLT-2 inhibitor medication.
Zynquista is currently being trialled for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. Last month the drug was rejected by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use because of the increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).