Tokyo, May 19, 2017 -MSD K.K. (President: Jannie Oosthuizen; “MSD”) and Astellas Pharma Inc. (President and CEO: Yoshihiko Hatanaka; “Astellas”) today announced that MSD has submitted an application for marketing approval of a combination drug of the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin phosphate hydrate (brand name: JANUVIA® Tablets) and the SGLT2 inhibitor ipragliflozin L-Proline (brand name: Suglat® Tablets) for the treatment of type-2 diabetes in Japan.
JANUVIA® Tablet is the first selective DPP-4 inhibitor in Japan manufactured and marketed by MSD. This once-daily inhibitor selectively inhibits DPP-4 and increases the active incretin levels, thus demonstrating glucose-dependent glucose-lowering effect. Suglat®Tablet is the first selective SGLT2 inhibitor in Japan manufactured and marketed by Astellas. With once-daily administration, it selectively inhibits SGLT2 and blocks renal glucose reuptake, thus demonstrating non-insulin-dependent glucose-lowering effect. The combination of these two drugs with different mechanisms of action for the treatment of type-2 diabetes is expected to reduce patients’ burden of taking drugs and improve their adherence. In a clinical study conducted to support this application, the drug has shown efficacy, safety and tolerability.
MSD and Astellas look forward to further contributing to the treatment of diabetes by offering a new treatment option for type-2 diabetes patients who have difficulty controlling blood sugar levels with monotherapy.
