Medicines in Development for Diabetes

America’s biopharmaceutical research companies currently are developing 221 innovative new medicines to help the nearly 26 million patients in the United States affected by diabetes. These medicines in development – all in either clinical trials or under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – include 32 for type 1 diabetes, 130 for type 2 and 64 for diabetes-related conditions, according to a new report released by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

Since 1990, six new classes of type 2 diabetes medicines have been approved by FDA, giving patients and providers powerful new tools to treat the condition. America’s biopharmaceutical research companies continue to explore many different approaches to battle diabetes. Examples of the potential innovations outlined in the report include:

• A medicine that improves glucose-dependent insulin secretion.
• A medicine designed to inhibit an enzyme linked to diabetic neuropathy.
• A medicine to treat type 2 diabetes that may allow for once-weekly dosing.

One in 10 American adults has diabetes now and as many as one in three could face the disease by 2050 if current trends continue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The prevalence is expected to rise sharply for a variety of reasons, including an aging population more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, increases in minority groups at high risk for the disease, and longer lifespans among diabetes patients. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to severe health problems and complications, such as heart disease, stroke, vision loss and amputation.

“Diabetes is a serious chronic disease with far-reaching implications for American patients, families, our health care system and our economy," said PhRMA President and CEO John J. Castellani. “However, diabetes can be controlled through lifestyle interventions. And treatment with medications can also manage and slow the disease. The medicines in the pipeline represent an exciting new chapter in the ongoing quest to better treat this debilitating disease.”

Related Information:

Release: Innovation & Adherence: Two Paths to Better Controlling Diabetes
Report: Medicines in Development for Diabetes (2012)
Overview: Biopharmaceutical Research Companies Are Developing More Than 221 Medicines to Treat Diabetes and Related Conditions
Backgrounder: Selected Medicines in Development for Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Conditions
Clinical Backgrounder: Clinical Trials for Diabetes and Related Conditions
Infographic: Innovation and Adherence Improves Care and Reduces Costs
Blog: Elizabeth Zabell Edelman: Diabetes on the Daily

Resources:

American Diabetes Association
JDRF
Diabetes Daily

Videos: 

Elizabeth Edelman