New DPP-4 Inhibitor May Cut Cardiovascular Risk

Saxagliptin, a new DPP-4 inhibitor, which has not been approved yet for diabetes, has shown to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events by as much as 55% in a metastudy done by Bristol-Myers Squibb. DPP-4 inhibitors (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) were originally derived from an enzyme found in lizard spit.

An article that appeared on Med Page Today, states that since the metastudy that was done in 2007 that showed that rosiglitazone (Avandia) could cause fatal cardiac events, the FDA has become more stringent when testing for cardiovascular safety with new drugs.

A metastudy is a compilation of results from several studies. For the saxagliptin metastudy, 3,758 patient-years of saxagliptin use was analyzed. The scientists did not detect an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

More testing is planned for saxagliptin, before the FDA will approve it for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca are the two companies who are working to develop saxagliptin. They have already submitted the drug for approval by the FDA, with feedback expected in July of this year.