AstraZeneca announced this week positive results from a landmark trial which showed that its diabetes drug, Farxiga reduced cardiovascular instances, compared to placebo.
In the trial, Farxiga, which is already indicated to improve glycemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes, was successful in reducing the risk of heart attacks or disease progression in patients with a common form of heart failure.
Farxiga is currently not indicated to reduce the risk of heart failure or cardiovascular death. The phase 3 clinical trial is significant because it could help signal approval for wider use of the medication.
“Farxiga becomes the first in its class to demonstrate efficacy and safety data for the treatment of patients with heart failure, with and without Type 2 diabetes, on top of standard of care,” said Mene Pangalos, executive vice president, biopharmaceuticals R&D.
“Today, half of heart failure patients will die within five years of diagnosis and it remains one of the leading causes of hospitalization,” Pangalos added. “We look forward to discussing the results of [the trial] with health authorities as soon as possible.”
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to approve Farxiga for use as a supplement to insulin in adults with Type 1 diabetes where insulin by itself was not able to control blood sugar levels.
AstraZeneca plans to present more trial results at an upcoming medical meeting.
Source:
- AstraZeneca. (2019, August 20). FARXIGA Met Primary Endpoint in Landmark Phase III DAPA-HF Trial for the Treatment of Patients With Heart Failure. Business Wire. Retrieved August 23, 2019, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190820005221/en