Trial results could give AstraZeneca diabetes drug edge over competitors

AstraZeneca reported positive results from a major study investigating the heart-protecting benefits of its diabetes drug, Farxiga.

According to the results, Farxiga was successful in significantly lowering the risk of hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death in the 17,000 patients with type 2 diabetes involved in the study.

The FDA has mandated the pharma companies study the cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes medicines, but companies have been using the opportunity to show their drugs’ heart-healthy benefits.

Although the Farxiga study did not show that it significantly lowered the chances of a cardiovascular event such as a stroke or heart attack, AstraZeneca hopes that the positive outcomes of the trial will help it win expanded indications for the drug.

Read the full Reuters report.

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