AstraZeneca plc (ADR)(NYSE:AZN)’s Bydureon Failed To Reach Statistical Significance In Diabetes Trials

AstraZeneca plc (ADR)(NYSE:AZN) may not live to see the success of its ambitions it diabetes following the failure and setback of its type II diabetes drug Bydureon. Top-line results from the EXSCEL study, which was examining the cardiovascular (CV) safety profile of the drug showed that it did not have any benefits to patients.

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The Phase IIIb/IV cardiovascular study of the human Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, involved more than 1400 patients from 35 countries. It did meet the primary safety objective but it failed to show any room for reducing the dangers of major undesirable cardiovascular events.

Bydureon’s failure creates a way for Novo Nordisk A/S (ADR)(NYSE:NVO)’s Victoza

The study, which was never to pass the mark, was comparing the effect of once-weekly Bydureon against placebo on reducing the risk of MACE. However, it did not obtain the statistical significance as expected. While the news could be a blow for AstraZeneca’s cardiovascular and metabolic business unit, it could be something to smile about for Novo Nordisk AS’ NVO.

The company’s key diabetes drug Victoza comes close behind with significant statistical results in the reduction of cardiovascular risk. It is said to have a higher efficacy and safety in type II diabetes patients. Novo Nordisk is expectant of obtaining an approval of the GLP-1 treatment later in the year as well as that of  next generation GLP-1 drug semaglutide

But AstraZeneca will not be cowed by Novo Nordisk’s

The stage for competition between the two seems all set. However, despite the setback on one of its main growth platforms, AstraZeneca is not relenting. The company could turn their hopes on an SGLT2 drug, Farxiga, which is now holding an upper hand in the market. It is in the category of Jardiance and Janssen’s Invokana.

The three have been endorsed for lowering the rate of hospitalization for heart failure by around 39%. Jardiance’s label update has also been approved for the cardiovascular indication. Meanwhile, Merck & Co., Inc.(NYSE:MRK)’s labels of its DPP-IV inhibitor Januvia (sitagliptin) did not also get an approval after the TECOS.

In the meantime, AstraZeneca’s stock closed at $34.34 witnessing an increase of $0.07 or 0.20%.

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