KOMBOGLYZE (SAXAGLIPTIN AND METFORMIN HCl IMMEDIATE-RELEASE) RECEIVES POSITIVE chmp OPINION IN the EUROPEan union FOR THE TREATMENT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today announced that the Marketing Authorisation Application for KOMBOGLYZE (saxagliptin and metformin HCl immediate-release fixed dose combination) received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), as an adjunct to diet and exercise,  for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults who are not adequately controlled on metformin or those already being treated with the combination of saxagliptin and metformin as separate tablets. 

The positive opinion was reached after the CHMP reviewed data from a Phase 3 clinical programme that involved 4,326 patients with type 2 diabetes, including 2,158 individuals receiving saxagliptin plus metformin.  

KOMBOGLYZE combines saxagliptin (also known as ONGLYZA), a DPP-4 inhibitor, and metformin immediate-release (metformin IR), a biguanide, in one tablet for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

The CHMP's positive opinion on KOMBOGLYZE will now be reviewed by the European Commission, which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union. 

About Type 2 Diabetes

In 2010, diabetes was estimated to affect nearly 56 million people aged 20-79 in Europe, and the prevalence of diabetes in Europe is projected to reach nearly 67 million by 2030. Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90 to 95% of all cases of diagnosed diabetes in adults. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by insulin resistance and/or dysfunction of beta cells in the pancreas, which decreases insulin sensitivity and secretion, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. Over time, this sustained hyperglycaemia contributes to worsening insulin resistance and further beta cell dysfunction. Significant unmet needs exist as nearly half of treated patients remain uncontrolled on their current glucose-lowering regimen.

Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca Collaboration

Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca entered into a collaboration in January 2007 to enable the companies to research, develop and commercialise select investigational drugs for type 2 diabetes. The Bristol-Myers Squibb/AstraZeneca Diabetes collaboration is dedicated to global patient care, improving patient outcomes and creating a new vision for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information please visit: www.astrazeneca.com

23 September 2011

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