Phase III trials of Invokana (canagliflozin) show blood glucose control and other improvements in type 2 diabetes- Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Janssen Pharmaceuticals has announced real-world and clinical findings showing that people with type 2 diabetes treated with Invokana (canagliflozin) achieved greater blood glucose control and were more likely to stay on therapy than were those treated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, a common class of medicines for type 2 diabetes that includes Januvia (sitagliptin). In one of the four comparative studies, patients taking Invokana, a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, were most likely to stay on therapy after nine months compared to those taking DPP-4 inhibitors, Farxiga (dapagliflozin) or glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

Another analysis demonstrated Invokana was associated with more time before patients needed to initiate insulin therapy compared to sitagliptin. Two other studies showed greater A1C and blood pressure control with Invokana compared to sitagliptin. In addition to the four comparative studies, a post-hoc analysis of clinical trial data demonstrated use of Invokana as an add-on therapy to sitagliptin and metformin helped patients achieve A1C and blood pressure treatment goals.

Also, a real-world analysis showed Invokana as a monotherapy was associated with reductions in A1C, good medication adherence and patients being able to reduce the number of other antihyperglycemic agents (including DPP-4 inhibitors) they take. The results from these presentations were presented at the American Diabetes Association's 76th Scientific Sessions.