Takeda Pharmaceutical Company’s US R&D unit, Takeda Global Research & Development Centre, Inc. has obtained approval by the US Food and Drug Administration for Actoplus Met for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. will launch the product in coming October.

Actoplus Met combines Actos (pioglitazone) and metformin, two widely used diabetes medications, in a single tablet. Actos directly targets insulin resistance, a condition where the body does not effectively use the insulin it produces, and metformin acts primarily by reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver. These medications work in combination to help patients with type 2 diabetes manage their plasma glucose levels.

"With this approval, we are pleased to contribute further to the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes according to individual pathology," Kiyoshi Kitazawa, a member of the board, general manager of pharmaceutical development division of Takeda said adding, "We are striving to maximize the product value of Actos and to enhance diabetic franchise in the US market, as shown by this approval and also by an NDA submission of a fixed combination product of Actos and glimepiride in June this year."