Results from a retrospective analysis of more than 778,000 patients showed the addition of Byetta (exenatide) injection to pre-existing diabetes treatment regimens was associated with a reduced likelihood of heart failure, especially among patients receiving insulin. These findings were presented by Amylin and Eli Lilly in a poster session at the 71st Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego on June 25.
The retrospective analysis used data from the GE Healthcare Centricity electronic medical record to analyze the likelihood of heart failure for Byetta in combination with certain other diabetes treatments compared with control groups of patients not treated with Byetta. Across all therapies, patients who received Byetta were 54 percent less likely to experience heart failure compared to patients not treated with Byetta.
In addition to retrospective analyses the EXSCEL (EXenatide Study of Cardiovascular Event Lowering) study is underway and is designed to determine if there are favorable cardiovascular effects of exenatide treatment, using Bydureon (exenatide extended-release for injectable suspension), compared to standard of care with traditional diabetes medications. The study began in 2010 and will include approximately 9,500 patients, with results expected as early as 2016. BYDUREON is the proposed brand name for an investigational, once-weekly formulation of exenatide, the active ingredient in Byetta.
