New Insulin Analog Shows Promise

The novel basal insulin analog LY2605541 may show advantages over insulin glargine in diabetes patients, according to researchers. Dr. Melvin J. Prince, Eli Lilly and Company, stated, "These Phase II results in basal insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes showed that LY2605541 improved glycemic control comparable to that seen with insulin glargine and produced additional effects, such as weight loss, lower nocturnal hypoglycemia and less variability of blood glucose readings within the same day with similar hypoglycemia rates as insulin glargine." Dr. Prince and colleagues came to this conclusion after studying patients who were taking metformin and/or sulfonylurea with insulin glargine or NPH insulin once daily. The patients continued with metformin and sulfonylurea and were randomized to open-label LY2605541 or glargine. Diabetes Care Online Oct 9, 2012