The American Diabetes Association 70th Scientific Sessions took place on June 25 – 29 in Orlando, Florida.

The major clinical data at this year's conference came from drugs with well-established mechanisms. Key points are:

• Weekly GLP-1 agonists set to expand usage of class, but safety issues with taspoglutide leave window of opportunity for somewhat less convenient Bydureon. Taspoglutide's serious hypersensitivity reactions, originally announced just prior to conference, raise questions about its viability, and increased nausea versus Byetta is a major commercial drawback.
• New DPP-IV inhibitors have been hampered by lack of differentiation from Januvia, and first Phase III data on Ondero suggests same problem, though hepatic excretion could help it somewhat. Despite some evidence for benefits of DPP-IVs over sulfonylureas, outcomes studies needed, and higher cost a limit for DPP-IVs and other novel classes.
• Multiple new data for SGLT2 inhibitors, though more safety information needed to see how they will fit into treatment paradigm. Dapagliflozin effective in Phase III trial added on to insulin without much increase in hypoglycemia. First efficacy data for canagliflozin looks good, though rash could be an issue. Early stage pharmacodynamic data for BI 10773 showed good efficacy. LX4211 data may be too good to be true.
• Phase II data for long-acting insulin Degludec suggests similar efficacy to Lantus, with a likely advantage in hypoglycemia or less frequent dosing.
• Details from Phase II trial of insulin sensitizer ISIS 113715 suggest it may be a useful option, though need for injection would limit use.
• Brief overview of novel targets, a number of which involve fatty acids or related receptors.

For the full report, please download the PDF version at the top of this page.

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