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Jardiance joins 3-way SGLT-2 battle [Medical Marketing and Media](Medical Marketing and Media Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) THE ELI LILLY and Boehringer Ingelheim SGLT-2 inhibitor Jardiance (empagliflozin), approved over the summer, is entering a crowded category. But analysts say the drug's profile may give it an edge. SGLT-2 inhibitors are an important new class of drugs for type 2 diabetics. Johnson and Johnson's Invokana was the first to be approved, in March 2013. AstraZeneca's SGLT-2 inhibitor Farxiga, acquired in its diabetes deal with Bristol-Myers Squibb last year, was launched this May. While both drugs have a head start, Jardiance's overall safety and efficacy profile give it a point of differentation. While Jardiance requires patients to be monitored for renal impairment, it has yet to be marred by the safety concerns seen in Farxiga. Farxiga has been flagged by the FDA over bladder cancer concerns, while Invokana is not recommended for patients with severe liver damage. Diabetes is a top cause of end-stage liver disease, and it's been estimated that half of type 2 diabetics have fatty liver disease-which is linked to an increased risk of liver cancer. This new diabetes clash is reminiscent of last year's bout in multiple sclerosis. Novartis's Gilenya and Sanofi's Aubagio MS pills were on the market when Biogen Idec's Tecfidera launched. Thanks to its overall profile, Tecfidera overcame its third-to-market status, achieving blockbuster status earlier this year. The Invokana and Farxiga warnings are not of the most severe variety, but in a crowded category, a minor hiccup matters. Sales reps may also be able to tout two other benefits not seen in either of the competitor products: Jardiance has been shown in trials to have weight and blood pressure benefits. Yet more competition could come to the SGLT-2 space. Merck and Pfizer announced a collaboration last April to work on their own SLGT-2 formulation, with a Phase-III study set to finish in August of next year. -KM (c) 2014 Haymarket Media, Inc. |