Humalog(R) Mix(TM) 75/25 vs Lantus(R) in Type 2 Diabetes

Humalog(R) Mix(TM) 75/25 vs Lantus(R) in Type 2 Diabetes
Study Results Unveiled at the American Diabetes Association Annual Scientific
Sessions 


INDIANAPOLIS, June 5  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- When people are first diagnosed
with type 2 diabetes -- the most common form of diabetes -- they are often
treated with diet and exercise and/or oral medications.  Over time, as the
disease progresses, patients frequently require insulin therapy.

In two separate studies comparing Humalog(R) Mix75/25(TM) to Lantus(R), the
former did a better job than the latter of helping patients with type 2
diabetes lower their blood sugar levels and achieve better diabetes control
over time.  Humalog Mix75/25 (75% insulin lispro protamine suspension, 25%
insulin lispro injection [rDNA origin]) is an insulin analog mixture.  Lantus
(insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) is a basal insulin analog.

"Maintaining control of blood sugar is important for all patients with diabetes
in order to prevent the onset of debilitating and sometimes fatal
diabetes-related complications, such as stroke and heart disease," said James
Malone, M.D., who was involved in conducting both studies and is a diabetes
medical director at Eli Lilly and Company, which developed Humalog Mix75/25.
"These studies indicate the benefit of a twice-daily insulin analog mixture on
achieving and maintaining improved glucose control specifically in patients
with type 2 diabetes."

In both of these open label studies, blood sugar, or glucose, levels were
measured via a glycosylated hemoglobin test (A1C), a standard test used by
healthcare professionals when treating patients with diabetes.  An A1C shows a
patient's "average" blood sugar level over the previous two or three months,
thereby giving an overall picture of his or her diabetes control.

Both studies compared the responses of twice-daily Humalog Mix75/25 plus
metformin (a commonly-prescribed oral medication for type 2 diabetes) to once-
daily Lantus plus metformin on A1C levels, post-meal blood glucose levels and
overall rates of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).  Managing glucose levels,
including post-meal glucose levels, is critical to diabetes control.

Study one consisted of 105 patients in the United States with type 2 diabetes
who were new to insulin therapy.  Participants received 32 weeks of treatment
-- 16 weeks with each insulin (Humalog Mix72/25 and Lantus, though not
necessarily in that order) plus metformin.

According to the results, which were presented today at the annual meeting of
the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Fla.:

*  A1C results were significantly improved in both groups, but the improvement
was greater for Humalog Mix75/25.

--  The A1C at endpoint was the primary objective of this study.  The average
A1C at endpoint for Humalog Mix75/25 was 7.4 percent and for Lantus 7.8
percent.

--  On average, A1C results dropped 1.3 percent when patients received Humalog
Mix75/25.  By comparison, when patients received Lantus, their A1C results
dropped an average of 0.9 percent.

*  At the study's conclusion, 41 percent of patients treated with Humalog
Mix75/25 achieved an A1C level of seven percent or lower.  The ADA recommends a
target A1C of less than 7.0 percent.  Twenty-two percent of patients on Lantus
achieved an A1C level of seven percent or lower at the end of the study.

*  Humalog Mix75/25 was associated with a smaller rise in glucose levels after
participants ate breakfast and dinner meals.

-- The average rise in post-breakfast glucose level for Humalog Mix75/25 was 18
mg/dL compared to 47 mg/dL for Lantus.

-- The average rise in post-dinner glucose level was 14 mg/dL for Humalog
Mix75/25 and 40 mg/dL for Lantus.

*  After 16 weeks of treatment, patients taking Lantus had lower rates of
hypoglycemia compared to those treated with Humalog Mix75/25.  On average,
patients treated with Lantus had .39 episodes per month compared to .68
episodes per month for those on Humalog Mix75/25.  No instances of severe
hypoglycemia were reported in either study arm.

-- Among participants, the rate of hypoglycemia during sleep was similar after
16 weeks of treatment with each insulin (.14 episodes per patient per month
with Humalog Mix75/25 vs. .24 episodes per patient per month with Lantus).

Study two consisted of 97 patients from Europe whose blood sugar was not under
control despite treatment with insulin therapy once or twice a day, or insulin
in combination with oral medications.  All patients were treated with bedtime
NPH plus metformin for a six-week lead-in period, so that apples could be
compared to apples, so to speak.  As in study one, participants received 32
weeks of treatment -- 16 weeks each with Humalog Mix75/25 and Lantus.  Both
insulins were given with metformin.

Results of study two showed:

*  The A1C at endpoint was the primary objective of this study.  The average
A1C at endpoint for Humalog Mix75/25 was 7.5 percent and for Lantus 8.1
percent.

*  On average, patients treated with Humalog Mix75/25 showed a greater
reduction in A1C levels compared to those same patients treated with Lantus (1
percent vs. 0.42 percent respectively).

*  At the study's conclusion, 30 percent of patients on Humalog Mix75/25
achieved a target A1C level of seven percent or lower, compared to 12 percent
on Lantus.

*  On average, the increase in glucose levels after all three main meals
(breakfast, lunch and dinner) were 27 mg/dL lower among patients treated with
Humalog Mix75/25 compared to Lantus.  As expected, fasting blood glucose levels
were lower in the Lantus group (the average was 127 mg/dL for Lantus and 140
mg/dL for Humalog Mix75/25).

*  Overall hypoglycemia rates were not significantly different between either
treatment arm and no instances of severe hypoglycemia were reported in either
group.

-- However, on average, patients treated with Humalog Mix75/25 had fewer
episodes of hypoglycemia during sleep than those patients on Lantus (.14
episodes per patients per month compared to .34 episodes per patients per
month).

"These data are further evidence of the benefit of using a pre-mixed insulin at
mealtimes compared with once-daily insulin," said John Holcombe, M.D., a
diabetes medical advisor at Lilly.  "Moreover, the results of this study
support the growing body of evidence that suggests controlling blood sugar
levels at mealtimes is important in achieving overall improved glycemic control
in patients with type 2 diabetes."

About Humalog Mix75/25

Humalog Mix75/25 is for use in patients with diabetes to control high blood
sugar.  Humalog Mix75/25 starts lowering blood glucose more quickly than
regular human insulin, allowing for convenient dosing immediately before a meal
(within 15 minutes).  By combining the benefits of the rapid-acting Humalog
with an intermediate-acting insulin, Humalog Mix75/25 provides blood glucose
control throughout the day -- at mealtime, between meals and at nighttime.  It
is available by prescription only.  Humalog Mix75/25 is not indicated for use
with metformin.

Important Safety Information

Potential side effects associated with the use of all insulins include low
blood sugar, weight gain, low blood potassium, changes in fat tissue at the
side of injection and allergic reactions, both general and local.  Humalog
Mix75/25 should not be mixed with another insulin.  Starting or changing
insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only under medical supervision.

For full prescribing information on Humalog Mix75/25 go to
http://www.humalog.com/ or call 1-800-LILLYRX.  For full prescribing
information on Lantus, go to http://www.lantus.com/ .

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing
portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by
applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from
collaborations with eminent scientific organizations.  Headquartered in
Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information
-- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs.  Additional information
about Lilly is available at http://www.lilly.com/ .

Humalog(R) Mix75/25(TM) (75% insulin lispro protamine suspension, 25% insulin
lispro injection [rDNA origin], Lilly)

Lantus(R) (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection), Aventis Pharmaceuticals)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO ) 

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031219/LLYLOGO

DATASOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company



CONTACT:  Meg Wanick of MS&L, cell phone: [phone]; or Judy Kay

Moore of Lilly, office phone: [phone]

Copyright