Diabetes: Once-weekly Amylin drug tops Januvia, Actos-study

The high-profile experimental once-weekly injectable diabetes drug from Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc (AMLN.O) and Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.N) proved superior to the widely used medicines Actos and Januvia in a clinical trial, according to data presented on Saturday.

Those who took exenatide once weekly in the 491-patient comparison study experienced better glucose control and more weight loss than those who received either Merck & Co Inc's (MRK.N) Januvia or Actos, which is sold by Japanese drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (4502.T), researchers said. "In this study, it looked like the once-weekly seemed to be the best choice when you consider glucose, weight and cardiovascular markers," Dr. Richard Bergenstal, executive director of the Internal Diabetes Center at Park Nicollet in Minneapolis and one of the study's primary investigators, said in an interview.