US biopharma developing 221 new diabetes medicines

Biopharmaceutical companies in the US are working on a range of treatments for type-1 and type-2 diabetes and related complications.

There are currently more than 220 new medicines being developed for the treatment of diabetes in the US alone, new figures suggest.
A report by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) reveals that biopharmaceutical companies in the US are working on no fewer than 221 innovative medicines for the condition, which affects hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Researchers are working on a number of angles, such as targeting key abnormalities of pancreatic cells; reducing dose formulations; minimising nerve damage; and preventing diabetic kidney disease.

All 221 drugs are currently undergoing clinical testing or are being reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

PhRMA president and chief executive officer John Castellani said: "Many of the human and economic costs associated with diabetes can be avoided, making improvement of patient adherence one of the best opportunities to get better results and greater value from our health care system."

He added that biopharmaceutical research companies must work with other stakeholders throughout the health care system to achieve this shared objective.

According to PhRMA, the FDA has approved six new classes of type-2 diabetes medicines since 1990.