Dr Reddy’s all-new diabetes drug shows good results

Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd, India's second biggest drug maker, says that its new diabetes drug balaglitazone, developed with its Danish partner Rheoscience, has shown encouraging results after the first 'phase three' clinical trials, and the results would be shown to drug regulators.

The clinical trials were conducted on 409 patients over 26 weeks, Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's said in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Balaglitazone belongs to the same family of drugs as Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.'s best-selling diabetes pill Actos, which generated $2.1 billion (Rs9,765 crore) in global sales in the six months ended 30 September. Actos accounted for 26 per cent of Osaka-based Takeda's revenue.

If successful in bringing balaglitazone to the market, DRL will become the first Indian firm to develop an original drug for diabetes. It will also help DRL lower dependence on revenue from generic drugs.

The clinical trial showed that 10mg and 20mg doses of balaglitazone had similar efficacy to 45mg of pioglitazone, the active ingredient in Actos, in reducing glycated haemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose levels, the statement said.

''These results offer the opportunity for a constructive series of dialogues with both potential partners, as well as regulatory agencies. We look forward to working with Rheoscience to define the path forward for Balaglitazone,'' said G V Prasad, vice-chairman and chief executive of Dr Reddy's.