Zafatek (trelagliptin succinate) controls blood glucose levels by selectively and continually inhibiting DPP-4, an enzyme that causes the inactivation of glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, incretin hormones that play a major role in blood glucose regulation.
The company said that the inhibition of DPP-4 increases insulin secretion depending on blood glucose concentration, thereby controlling blood glucose levels.
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved Zafatek based on the safety and efficacy data from multiple clinical Phase III trials in patients with type 2 diabetes in Japan.
In addition to a good safety and tolerability profile, the efficacy of once-weekly Zafatek was also confirmed in all studies.
Takeda Japan Pharma Business Unit director and president Masato Iwasaki said: "By adding Zafatek as an important new treatment option to our diabetes portfolio in Japan, we believe we are providing more suitable treatment options for the each patient’s individual needs.
"Zafatek is the world’s first once weekly oral type 2 diabetes treatment option. By delivering adequate information to doctors and healthcare providers, we hope Zafatek becomes an important therapeutic option for patients."
Image: Takeda Midosuji Building, the head office of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, in Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan. Photo: courtesy of J o.