Health Canada approves Janssen’s type 2 diabetes drug INVOKANA

The drug belongs to a new class of medications called sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors that provides a new approach to treat diabetes by increasing the loss of glucose in the urine.

The company said that as glucose is filtered from the blood in the kidneys it is reabsorbed into the bloodstream and SGLT2 is a major transporter responsible for this reabsorption.

Out of the three million Canadians living with diabetes, 90% have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

LMC Diabetes & Endocrinology endocrinologist Ronald Goldenberg said in clinical trials, INVOKANA had a great impact on patients by improving glycemic control, while reducing body weight and systolic blood pressure.

"INVOKANA was also associated with a low incidence of hypoglycemia, which is something that is often associated with diabetes medications. This new treatment provides an exciting option for physicians and patients," Goldenberg said.

Despite the numerous treatment options available, about 50% of patients don’t reach the level of glucose control recommended by their doctor.

The approval is based on a comprehensive global Phase III clinical program, including 713 Canadians in six studies.

The drug has been evaluated as a single agent (monotherapy), in combination with metformin and in combination with other glucose-lowering agents, including insulin, in patients who need further glucose control.

Results from the clinical programme demonstrated that the 100mg and the 300mg doses of INVOKANA significantly improved glycemic control, body weight and systolic blood pressure.

The drug is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Image: Janssen’s INVOKANA is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Photo: courtesy of foto76/ freedigitalphotos.net