Data from the Phase III trial showed that at 12 months AGI-1067 delivered only a minor reduction in glycated hemoglobin A1c, a commonly used measure of glycemic control.
Lars Ryden, professor of cardiology at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, told Reuters he was unconvinced by the findings. “Its a small reduction of glycated haemoglobin. The impact on glucose control is so small that it is not very interesting in itself.”
However, the drug did reduce the development of new onset diabetes in patients with impaired fasting glucose, a condition which is a precursor to diabetes, by 59%.
Diabetic patients taking the drug also demonstrated a 22% reduction in hard cardiovascular events of cardiovascular death, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction and stroke.
“We believe that the unique mechanism of action for AGI-1067 may provide multiple therapeutic benefits for patients with diabetes,” countered Rob Scott, executive vice president of R&D and chief medical officer.