DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Drug companies unleashed a glut of research about diabetes
treatments Friday, including data about the popular Byetta
treatment and longer-acting versions of it, which boosted Amylin
Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (AMLN) shares after hours, as well as
encouraging statements about an inhaled-insulin treatment from
MannKind Corp. (MNKD).
The releases came as the American Diabetes Association's annual
scientific meeting kicked off in San Diego.
Amylin, Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) and Alkermes Inc. (ALKS)
released two reports about Bydureon, a once-weekly version of the
already-approved diabetes drug Byetta. The Food and Drug
Administration declined to approve Bydureon in October,
substantially delaying a widely expected approval.
Friday, results from one Bydureon study suggested the treatment
didn't slow the heart rate in patients with type-2 diabetes. Other
Bydureon studies showed that type-2 patients showed improvement in
glycemic control and lost weight over the course of several years,
the companies said.
The three companies also released data on an investigational,
once-monthly injectable suspension formulation of the drug. They
said a midstage study indicated "substantial improvement" in
glycemic control with modest weight loss.
Regarding Byetta, Amylin and Lilly reported that a retrospective
analysis of more than 778,000 patients showed adding Byetta
injection to pre-existing diabetes treatment regimens was
associated with reduced chances for heart failure.
On its own, Amylin said a study of another already approved
diabetes drug, Symlin, showed the treatment helped reduce the
average level of blood sugar, insulin use and body weight in type-1
patients who used insulin pumps.
Amylin shares rose 5.7% to $12.50 after hours. Alkermes shares
rose 0.4% to $17.37, and Lilly's weren't active.
MannKind reported two separate sets of findings about its
inhaled insulin treatment, Afrezza. The company has been trying to
win FDA approval for the treatment, but investors haven't been
impressed by the rate of progress.
Friday, it said two studies "further substantiate" that
treatment with Afrezza doesn't cause excess cardiovascular events,
like heart attack or artery disease, in type-1 or type-2 patients.
It also said a study showed type-1 patients who received Afrezza
combined with basal insulin had a more positive view about insulin
therapy than those who used a standard therapy with basal
insulin.
MannKind shares were up 9% at $4.35 after hours. Through the
close, the stock has declined 51% so far this year.
-By Joan E. Solsman, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2291;
joan.solsman@dowjones.com