The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the first in a new class of drugs for type 2 diabetes when it approved Merck & Co’s Januvia oral tablets. Januvia (sitagliptin phosphate) belongs to the class of drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors. These inhibitors increase the body’s ability to produce insulin, thus reducing the rise in blood sugar. The approval was granted on the basis of a study conducted on 2,719 patients with type 2 diabetes. For participants in the trial that lasted for a year, the drug successfully lowered blood sugar levels by 0.67 per cent. The common side effects observed in the use of Januvia were upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat and diarrhea. On the positive side, the drug did not cause weight gain in the patients. However, Januvia has not been approved for patients suffering from other types of diabetes.
Meanwhile, another potential drug belonging to the DPP-4 inhibitors class is in the news. Germany-based Merck KgaA has bought the licence to a molecule GRC 8200 that Glenmark Pharmaceuticals believes has the potential to be developed into a drug to treat type 2 diabetes. The deal was sealed for 190 million euros. Phase II research of GRC 8200 is currently being conducted in South Africa and India. According to the terms of the deal, Merck will pay Glenmark 25 million euros upfront. Merck would also test the molecule on patients. It will pay Glenmark as the molecule undergoes the testing stages and will also pay royalties to Glenmark if it is able to develop the molecule into a drug.
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