11
NEWS
Rybelsus
and weight
reduction
According to DiaTribe Learn, Novo
Nordisk has released initial results for
a clinical trial testing Rybelsus at high
doses, showing significant reductions
in both HbA1c levels and weight in
patients with Type 2 diabetes, marking
the greatest amount of weight loss
ever seen to date from an oral glucose
lowering agent.
Rybelsus is a semaglutide taken
once-daily by mouth, rather than
by injection and is prescribed for
people with Type 2 diabetes, along
with diet and exercise to help control
blood sugar.
Results from the phase 3 trial
showed that Rybelsus at experimental
doses of 25mg and 50mg for 68 weeks
outperformed a 14mg dose, which has
been the maximum approved dose
of Rybelsus thus far. Based on these
results, which reveal an average HbA1c
reduction of roughly 2 percentage
points and an average weight
reduction of 10% with the highest
Rybelsus dose, Novo Nordisk plans
to file for regulatory approvals of the
25mg and 50mg doses in the US and
the EU later this year.
Gene-edit tech & T1D
In the latest move towards finding a stem cell-based cure for Type 1
diabetes, American company Vertex has announced a new agreement
with CRISPR Therapeutics to allow Vertex to use established gene-editing
technology to develop safer stem cell therapies for Type 1.
The move could accelerate the development of one of the most
promising potential cures for Type 1 diabetes, which hopes to replace
damaged insulin-producing cells with new ones, without needing drugs to
suppress the recipient's immune system.
Usually, implanted cells carry their own unique immune 'signature'
in the genetic code, which differs from that of the recipient: the body's
immune system regards the cells as foreign and dangerous and will target
them for destruction, in much the same way a person's own beta cells are
targeted for destruction when they have Type 1 diabetes.
However, using the CRISPR technology, Vertex can alter the DNA of the
stem cells to develop insulin-producing cells that avoid recognition by the
immune system, evading the immune system attack completely.
Vit B12 & T2D?
A study has been conducted to explore the possible association between
vitamin B12 deficiency and gastroparesis in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic gastroparesis is a severe diabetic complication - delayed gastric
emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction of the stomach.
Vitamin B12 deficiency was suspected of being implicated in the
development of diabetic gastroparesis.
A total of 100 Type 2 diabetes patients were divided into two
groups: patients with gastroparesis and patients without gastroparesis.
The frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency was 54.5% in patients with
gastroparesis, compared to 11.1% in patients without gastroparesis. The
survey concluded that vitamin B12 deficiency is an independent predictor
of diabetic gastroparesis in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Seeing red
Owen Mumford's Aidaptus singleuse auto-injector
has been awarded
a distinction in the prestigious Red
Dot awards for innovative product
design. It is a versatile and intuitive
device that can deliver a wide range
of drugs and biologics that require
subcutaneous delivery. It features a
unique auto-adjust, stopper-sensing
technology that adapts to different
fill volumes in each syringe and
accommodates both 1mL and 2.25mL
prefilled glass syringes in the same
compact base device. This provides
pharmaceutical companies with
a single solution for delivery of a
variety of drug formulations.
Aidaptus also offers ease of use
and confidence for peoplewho need
to self-administer their medication
at home. The compact design and
simple two-step injection process
help to reduce the burden on HCPs
and services.
The product has been recognised
with distinction in the Product
Design 2023 category of the Red Dot
awards, one of the most prestigious
design competitions in the world. The
company has stated that the award
reflects its ongoing pursuit and
commitment to excellence in design
and innovation for the benefit of its
customers and patients.
www.owenmumford.com