Reuters reports that GlaxoSmithKline, Britain’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, has filed for approval of a diabetes drug called albiglutide in both the United States and Europe.
The story says albiglutide is among a class of medicines that increase GLP-1, which is a hormone that stimulates insulin production from the pancreas.
A recent study found two other diabetes drugs in that class, Merck’s Januvia and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Byetta, may double the risk of a pancreas inflammation called pancreatitis. Previous studies have linked Januvia and Byetta to pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, and Byetta to thyroid cancer.
Reuters says albigluride, a once-weekly medication, has not yet been approved anywhere in the world. It’s among a number of new medications that the company hopes will revive its product portfolio.
The diabetes drug market is a potentially lucrative one, especially in light of rising diabetes rates. The World Health Organization estimates that 347 million people worldwide have diabetes.
But some analysts are predicting that albiglutide may struggle even if it is approved because it’s a relative newcomer and must “gain a foothold in a crowded market,” Reuters says.
You should consult with a doctor if you have any ongoing symptoms or health concerns, and before making any changes in medication. You should also consult with a Lopez McHugh attorney if you or a loved one was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after taking Januvia or Byetta.
See the story here:
https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/07/us-glaxosmithkline-diabetes-idUSBRE9260JS20130307
