ORLANDO, Fla., June 26, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ —
Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMLN) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced results from a study
comparing the effect of long-term treatment with either BYETTA®
(exenatide) injection or Lantus® (insulin glargine) on overall
beta-cell function. (Beta cells are cells in the pancreas that
produce insulin.) Three years of BYETTA therapy improved indices of
beta-cell function assessed four weeks after discontinuing therapy.
These findings were presented at the 70th Annual Scientific
Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Orlando, Fla.
After three years of treatment, both therapies reduced A1C
similarly (by 0.7 percentage points to 6.6 percent for BYETTA and
by 0.5 percentage points to 6.9 percent for Lantus). A1C is a
measure of average blood sugar over three months. In addition,
BYETTA significantly reduced body weight compared to Lantus
(17-pound difference between groups). After completion of three
years of therapy, a four-week off-drug period followed to allow
assessment of parameters of metabolic state including beta-cell
function. Beta-cell function was assessed using a calculated
disposition index (insulin secretion adjusted for insulin
sensitivity). BYETTA increased insulin sensitivity by 39 percent
and increased the disposition index, indicating an improvement in
background beta-cell function. Lantus had no effect on insulin
sensitivity or disposition index.
“Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease in which insulin
production typically decreases over time,” said ‘/>”/>
