A new treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to achieve glycemic control is available in the UAE with the approval of Sanofi’s Lyxumia (lixisenatide).

Lyxumia helps to achieve glycemic control in combination with oral glucose-lowering medicinal products and / or basal insulin, said a statement.

It is a once daily injected medication that helps in maintaining sugar levels especially after meals with limited risk of severe symptomatic hypoglycemia, it said.

“In line with our vision to improve life and in our continuing efforts to disseminate, innovate and integrate healthcare solutions and with the approval of Lyxumia, UAE has a new, innovative medication to help patients with type 2 diabetes further reduce HbA1c, with the benefit of weight loss and limited risk of severe symptomatic hypoglycaemia,” said Ayman Mokhtar, general manager of Sanofi in the Gulf.

UAE approval for Lyxumia is based on results from the GetGoal clinical trial program, which enabled Lyxumia to be the first once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist with a predominantly prandial glucose lowering effect to be indicated for use on top of basal insulin and in combination with oral anti-diabetic medications, it said.

The clinical trial program showed that Lyxumia demonstrated significant HbA1c reductions, a pronounced post-prandial glucose lowering effect and a beneficial effect on body weight in adult patients with type 2 diabetes. GetGoal results also showed that Lyxumia had a favourable safety and tolerability profile in most patients as there is a limited risk of severe symptomatic hypoglycemia and increased weight loss, the satement added.

Dr Abdulrazzak Al Madani , consultant in endocrinology, CEO of Dubai Hospital and president of the Emirates Diabetes Society (EDS) said: ”There is a continuous need for  new techniques and medications that facilitate the proper treatment and management of diabetes. This type of disease is progressive and requires continuous follow-up and usage of innovative medication and patients’ compliance to medications.”

“Hypoglycemia is a major concern for patients, and doctors need to ensure that prescribed treatments lower the risk while maintaining glycemic control,” he added.

Lyxumia is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. GLP-1 is a naturally-occurring peptide hormone that is released within minutes after eating a meal. It is known to suppress glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells and stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells. - TradeArabia News Service