Januvia, manufactured by Merck, belongs to a new breakthrough class of prescription medications called DPP-4 inhibitors that improves blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Januvia enhances a natural body system to significantly lower elevated blood sugar.
The treatment is especially useful for patients with diabetes as they do not gain weight or face the risk of heart failure while taking Januvia, unlike standard diabetes treatment.
The new diabetic drug has been approved as monotherapy and as add-on therapy to either of two other types of oral diabetes medications, metformin or thiazolidinediones.
“Those patients who are unable to adequately manage their type 2 diabetes with lifestyle changes, like healthy eating and increased physical exercise, and who require medications now have a new product to help regulate their blood sugar levels,” said Edward Horton, director of clinical research at Joslin Diabetes Center.
However Merck is facing strong competition as rival drug maker Novartis is waiting on FDA approval of its diabetes drug Galvus. Galvus uses the same technology to treat type 2 diabetes as Januvia.
Both Januvia and Galvus are expected to become billion dollar sellers.