Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) and AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) reported the outcome of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting on the New Drug Application for the investigational compound dapagliflozin.
On the question: "Do the efficacy and safety data provide substantial evidence to support approval of dapagliflozin as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus?" the Advisory Committee voted 6 yes and 9 no. Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca remain committed to the dapagliflozin clinical development program and will continue to work closely with the FDA to support the review of this investigational compound.
Dapagliflozin is under joint development by Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca. Dapagliflozin is being investigated as a monotherapy in addition to diet and exercise, and in combination with other anti-diabetic agents in addition to diet and exercise, to evaluate its effect on blood sugar levels (or HbA1c) in adults with type 2 diabetes. Dapagliflozin, an inhibitor of SGLT2, a target in the kidney, would potentially be the first in a new class of insulin-independent, oral type 2 diabetes agents.
The FDA Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee based its voting on a review of data from the comprehensive dapagliflozin global clinical development program included as part of the FDA New Drug Application submission. This submission included data of up to two years in duration and involved approximately 6,000 individuals in 40 clinical studies. The trials were designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy (as measured by HbA1c) of dapagliflozin in the approximately 4,200 patients who received dapagliflozin and were at various stages of the continuum of type 2 diabetes. In accordance with FDA guidelines, the New Drug Application also included data assessing the cardiovascular safety of dapagliflozin in adults with type 2 diabetes.
The FDA is not bound by the Advisory Committee's recommendation but takes its advice into consideration when reviewing New Drug Applications. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date for dapagliflozin is October 28, 2011.
About Type 2 Diabetes
In 2010, diabetes was estimated to affect nearly 300 million people aged 20 - 79 worldwide. Because of the aging population and the growing trend of obesity, the prevalence of diabetes is projected to reach nearly 440 million by 2030. Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90 - 95% of all cases of diagnosed diabetes in adults. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by insulin resistance and/or dysfunction of beta cells in the pancreas, which decreases insulin sensitivity and secretion, leading to elevated glucose levels. Over time, this sustained hyperglycemia contributes to worsening insulin resistance and further beta cell dysfunction. To date, treatments for type 2 diabetes have focused primarily on insulin-dependent mechanisms. An approach that acts independently of insulin could provide an additional option for adults with type 2 diabetes.
Significant unmet needs exist as nearly half of treated patients remain uncontrolled on their current glucose-lowering regimen. Many patients with type 2 diabetes have additional co-morbidities (such as obesity) which may complicate glycemic control.
About SGLT2 Inhibition
The kidney plays an important role in glucose balance, normally filtering ~180g of glucose each day, with virtually all glucose being reabsorbed back into circulation. SGLT2 is the major sodium-glucose cotransporter in the kidney and is an insulin-independent pathway for the reabsorption of glucose back into the blood.
Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca Collaboration
Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca entered into a collaboration in January 2007 to enable the companies to research, develop and commercialize select investigational drugs for type 2 diabetes. The Bristol-Myers Squibb/AstraZeneca Diabetes collaboration is dedicated to global patient care, improving patient outcomes and creating a new vision for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.