Corporate news details

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) and AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) today announced top line results of the Phase 4 SAVOR-TIMI-53 (Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus) clinical trial of Onglyza ^® (saxagliptin). In this study of adult patients with type 2 diabetes with either a history of established cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors, Onglyza met the primary safety objective of non-inferiority, and did not meet the primary efficacy objective of superiority, for a composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal ischaemic stroke, when added to a patient’s current standard of care (with or without other anti-diabetic therapies), as compared to placebo.

These preliminary SAVOR-TIMI-53 data are being analyzed and the study results will be submitted to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) for potential presentation at the ESC Congress in September.

About Onglyza^® (saxagliptin)

Onglyza is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic (blood sugar) control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiple clinical settings. Onglyza should not be used for the treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis (increased levels of ketones in the blood or urine), as it would not be effective in these settings. Onglyza has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis.

Onglyza is contraindicated in patients with a history of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to Onglyza (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema or exfoliative skin conditions). There have been post-marketing reports of acute pancreatitis and serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients taking Onglyza. If pancreatitis or a serious hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, promptly discontinue Onglyza and institute appropriate medical treatment. It is unknown whether patients with a history of pancreatitis are at an increased risk for development of pancreatitis while using Onglyza.

When Onglyza was used in combination with a sulfonylurea or with insulin (two medications known to cause hypoglycemia), the incidence of confirmed hypoglycemia was increased over that of placebo used in combination with a sulfonylurea or with insulin. Therefore, a lower dose of the insulin secretagogue or insulin may be required to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with Onglyza.

As of June 2013, Onglyza has been submitted for regulatory review in 95 countries and is approved in 86 countries including those in the European Union, the United States, Canada, Mexico, India, Brazil and China.

Indication and Limitations of Use for ONGLYZA^® (saxagliptin)

ONGLYZA is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiple clinical settings.

ONGLYZA should not be used for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis.

ONGLYZA has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis.

Important Safety Information for ONGLYZA

Contraindications

• History of a serious hypersensitivity reaction to ONGLYZA (eg, anaphylaxis, angioedema, or exfoliative skin conditions)

Warnings and Precautions

• Pancreatitis: There have been postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis in patients taking ONGLYZA. After initiating ONGLYZA, observe patients carefully for signs and symptoms of pancreatitis. If pancreatitis is suspected, promptly discontinue ONGLYZA and initiate appropriate management. It is unknown whether patients with a history of pancreatitis are at increased risk of developing pancreatitis while using ONGLYZA.
• Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Sulfonylurea or Insulin: When ONGLYZA was used in combination with a sulfonylurea or with insulin, medications known to cause hypoglycemia, the incidence of confirmed hypoglycemia was increased over that of placebo used in combination with a sulfonylurea or with insulin. Therefore, a lower dose of the insulin secretagogue or insulin may be required to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with ONGLYZA.
• Hypersensitivity Reactions: There have been postmarketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with ONGLYZA, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and exfoliative skin conditions. Onset of these reactions occurred within the first 3 months after initiation of treatment with ONGLYZA, with some reports occurring after the first dose. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, discontinue ONGLYZA, assess for other potential causes for the event, and institute alternative treatment for diabetes. Use caution in patients with a history of angioedema to another DPP-4 inhibitor as it is unknown whether they will be predisposed to angioedema with ONGLYZA.
• Macrovascular Outcomes: There have been no clinical studies establishing conclusive evidence of macrovascular risk reduction with ONGLYZA or any other antidiabetic drug.

Most Common Adverse Reactions

• Most common adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of patients treated with ONGLYZA and more commonly than in patients treated with control were upper respiratory tract infection (7.7%, 7.6%), headache (7.5%, 5.2%), nasopharyngitis (6.9%, 4.0%) and urinary tract infection (6.8%, 6.1%).
• When used as add-on combination therapy with a thiazolidinedione, the incidence of peripheral edema for ONGLYZA 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and placebo was 3.1%, 8.1% and 4.3%, respectively.
• Confirmed hypoglycemia was reported more commonly in patients treated with ONGLYZA 2.5 mg and ONGLYZA 5 mg compared to placebo in the add-on to glyburide trial (2.4%, 0.8% and 0.7%, respectively), with ONGLYZA 5 mg compared to placebo in the add-on to insulin (with or without metformin) trial (5.3% and 3.3%, respectively),with ONGLYZA 2.5 mg compared to placebo in the renal impairment trial (4.7% and 3.5%, respectively), and with ONGLYZA 5 mg compared to placebo in the add-on to metformin plus sulfonylurea trial (1.6% and 0.0%, respectively).

Drug Interactions

Because ketoconazole, a strong CYP3A4/5 inhibitor, increased saxagliptin exposure, the dose of ONGLYZA should be limited to 2.5 mg when coadministered with a strong CYP3A4/5 inhibitor (eg, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and telithromycin).

Use in Specific Populations

• Patients with Renal Impairment: The dose of ONGLYZA is 2.5 mg once daily for patients with moderate or severe renal impairment, or with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis (creatinine clearance [CrCl] ≤50 mL/min). ONGLYZA should be administered following hemodialysis. ONGLYZA has not been studied in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Assessment of renal function is recommended prior to initiation of ONGLYZA and periodically thereafter.
• Pregnant and Nursing Women: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. ONGLYZA, like other antidiabetic medications, should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. It is not known whether saxagliptin is secreted in human milk. Because many drugs are secreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when ONGLYZA is administered to a nursing woman.
• Pediatric Patients: Safety and effectiveness of ONGLYZA in pediatric patients have not been established.

Please click here for full U.S. Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for ONGLYZA (saxagliptin).

About Type 2 Diabetes

At the end of 2012, diabetes was estimated to affect more than 370 million people aged 20-79 worldwide. Because of the aging population and the growing trend of obesity, the prevalence of diabetes is projected to reach more than 550 million by 2030. Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90 to 95% of all cases of diagnosed diabetes in adults. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by insulin resistance and dysfunction of beta cells in the pancreas, which decreases insulin sensitivity and secretion, leading to elevated glucose levels. Over time, this sustained hyperglycemia contributes to worsening insulin resistance and further beta cell dysfunction. Significant unmet needs still exist, as many patients remain inadequately controlled on their current glucose-lowering regimen.

The major cause of death and complications in patients with type 2 diabetes is cardiovascular disease. As many as 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes will develop and possibly die from a cardiovascular event.

About SAVOR

SAVOR-TIMI-53 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that involved 16,500 patients in 25 countries with type 2 diabetes who had a history of established cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors, with or without renal impairment. SAVOR was led by the academic research organizations TIMI Study Group and Hadassah University Medical Center and conducted at over 700 sites worldwide.

AstraZeneca / Bristol-Myers Squibb Diabetes Alliance

Dedicated to addressing the global burden of diabetes by advancing individualized patient care, AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb are working in collaboration to research, develop and commercialize a versatile portfolio of innovative treatment options for diabetes and related metabolic disorders that aim to provide treatment effects beyond glucose control. Find out more about the Alliance and our commitment to meeting the needs of health care professionals and people with diabetes at www.astrazeneca.com or www.bms.com.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.bms.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information please visit: www.astrazeneca.com.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward-Looking Statement

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AstraZeneca Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In order, among other things, to utilise the 'safe harbour' provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995, we are providing the following cautionary statement: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the operations, performance and financial condition of the Group. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any forward-looking statements, by their very nature, involve risks and uncertainties and may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those predicted. The forward looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this press release and AstraZeneca undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. We identify the forward-looking statements by using the words 'anticipates', 'believes', 'expects', 'intends' and similar expressions in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, certain of which are beyond our control, include, among other things: the loss or expiration of patents, marketing exclusivity or trade marks, or the risk of failure to obtain patent protection; the risk of substantial adverse litigation/government investigation claims and insufficient insurance coverage; exchange rate fluctuations; the risk that R&D will not yield new products that achieve commercial success; the risk that strategic alliances and acquisitions will be unsuccessful; the impact of competition, price controls and price reductions; taxation risks; the risk of substantial product liability claims; the impact of any failure by third parties to supply materials or services; the risk of failure to manage a crisis; the risk of delay to new product launches; the difficulties of obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals for products; the risk of failure to observe ongoing regulatory oversight; the risk that new products do not perform as we expect; the risk of environmental liabilities; the risks associated with conducting business in emerging markets; the risk of reputational damage; the risk of product counterfeiting; the risk of failure to successfully implement planned cost reduction measures through productivity initiatives and restructuring programmes; the risk that regulatory approval processes for biosimilars could have an adverse effect on future commercial prospects; and the impact of increasing implementation and enforcement of more stringent anti-bribery and anti-corruption legislation. Nothing in this press release should be construed as a profit forecast.