The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued two positive opinions for new indications for the use of Novartis' Galvus (vildagliptin) and Eucreas (vildagliptin and metformin) in combination with other treatments for type 2 diabetes patients.

The first positive opinion was for vildagliptin in combination with insulin, with or without metformin, for patients with type 2 diabetes when diet, exercise and a stable dose of insulin do not result in glycemic control. The second positive opinion was for vildagliptin in triple combination with metformin and a sulphonylurea for the treatment of type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise plus dual therapy with these two agents do not provide adequate glycemic control.

"These CHMP positive opinions are important milestones in our efforts to offer physicians and patients effective and generally well-tolerated additional treatment options to help reach and maintain blood sugar goals," says David Morris, Primary Care Franchise Head of Development, Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

The CHMP positive opinion for the use of vildagliptin in combination with insulin was based on a 24-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial (n=449) which demonstrated that vildagliptin 50 mg administered twice daily in combination with insulin, with or without metformin, reduced blood sugar levels (HbA1c) versus placebo (-0.7%; P<0.001). The addition of vildagliptin was weight neutral and resulted in a similar incidence of hypoglycemia versus placebo.

The CHMP positive opinion for the use of vildagliptin in combination with metformin and a sulphonylurea was based on a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial (n=318). The study demonstrated that vildagliptin 50 mg twice-daily in combination with metformin and a sulphonylurea reduced blood sugar levels (HbA1c) versus placebo (-0.8%; P<0.001). Five times as many patients reached their blood sugar level goal versus placebo (28.3% for vildagliptin versus 5.6% for placebo; P<0.001). The addition of vildagliptin was weight neutral versus placebo and had a low incidence of hypoglycemia. As part of the positive opinion, it was noted that sulphonylureas are known to cause hypoglycemia so physicians may consider a lower dose of sulphonylurea to reduce this risk when combining treatments.

Upon approval, vildagliptin in combination with insulin, with or without metformin, and vildagliptin in combination with metformin and a sulphonylurea will offer new treatment options for patients unable to reach blood sugar goals, with a low risk of hypoglycemia while also achieving weight neutrality.

Galvus (vildagliptin) is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, a class of oral diabetes medications that enhance the body's natural ability to control blood sugar. The Galvus (vildagliptin) safety and efficacy profile has been established in a comprehensive clinical trial program that included more than 15,000 type 2 diabetes patients.

Galvus (vildagliptin) is approved in more than 100 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America. It is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes as a monotherapy and in combination with metformin, a sulphonylurea, a thiazolidinedione or insulin. Specific indications vary by country.

Eucreas/Galvus Met (vildagliptin and metformin) is a single-pill fixed-dose combination of Galvus (vildagliptin) and metformin. Eucreas/Galvus Met (vildagliptin and metformin) is approved in more than 80 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes who are unable to control blood sugar with metformin alone. Specific indications vary by country.