Sanofi announced that the U.S. FDA approved once-daily Soliqua 100/33 100 Units/mL & 33 mcg/mL for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on basal insulin or lixisenatide.
Soliqua 100/33 is the combination of Lantus (insulin glargine 100 Units/mL) and lixisenatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, in a once-daily injection, studied in a Phase 3 program of more than 1,900 patients. In an insulin intensification study, Soliqua 100/33 showed better HbA1c (average blood sugar over time) lowering versus Lantus with a majority of the 736 patients (55% vs. 30%) achieving the American Diabetes Association target of less than 7% at 30 weeks.
Patients treated with Soliqua 100/33 experienced similar rates of documented (less than or equal to 70 mg/dL) hypoglycemia compared to Lantus-treated patients. The most frequently reported adverse events included hypoglycemia, as well as nausea (10%), nasopharyngitis (7%), diarrhea (7%) and upper respiratory tract infection (5%).1
Soliqua 100/33 will be delivered in a single pre-filled pen for once-daily dosing covering 15 to 60 Units of insulin glargine 100 Units/mL and 5 to 20 mcg of lixisenatide using SoloStar technology, the most frequently used disposable insulin injection pen platform in the world.2 Soliqua 100/33 will be available in U.S. retail pharmacies in January 2017.
“Sanofi continues to be a pioneer in developing diabetes therapies and in bringing forward new treatment options for the approximately 50 percent of patients whose blood sugar levels remain uncontrolled on daily basal insulin. Soliqua 100/33 is an alternate new approach that can help adults living with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled on basal insulin or lixisenatide to reach their treatment goal,” said Elias Zerhouni, M.D., President, Global R&D, Sanofi.
The combination was submitted for regulatory review in a total of 10 markets, including the EU, where the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion for the marketing authorization of the product on November 11, 2016. It has not yet been approved for use by any health authority outside the U.S.
About Sanofi Diabetes & Cardiovascular
Diabetes and cardiovascular disease affect millions of people worldwide, with many managing the complex challenges of both. Building on our portfolio evolution, heritage and expertise, Sanofi has a focused business unit dedicated to delivering innovative, value-based medicines and integrated solutions in these therapeutic areas. We are committed to a collaborative approach that involves strategic alliances with professional and patient associations, research institutions and leaders in healthcare and other industries, with the goal of advancing scientific knowledge, driving the convergence of science and technology, helping to improve outcomes and inspiring an evolution in care.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi is organized into five global business units: Diabetes and Cardiovascular, General Medicines and Emerging Markets, Sanofi Genzyme, Sanofi Pasteur and Merial. Sanofi is listed in Paris and in New York.
