Onglyza Use Has Increased Among Both Newly Diagnosed and Recently Treated Type 2 Diabetes Patients, While Use of Januvia H

Quarterly Treatment Algorithm Analysis for Type 2 Diabetes Now Available from Decision Resources

BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Decision Resources, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that while patient share of Bristol-Myers Squibb/AstraZeneca’s Onglyza continues to trail Merck’s Januvia, use of Onglyza has increased in both newly diagnosed and recently treated type 2 diabetes patients. Meanwhile, Januvia’s patient share has plateaued in these patient populations, according to examination of U.S. patient claims data. Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP-IV) inhibitor Onglyza launched in the U.S. in 2009, while Januvia, the first-to-market DPP-IV inhibitor, launched in 2006.

According to Treatment Algorithms in Type 2 Diabetes, a greater percentage of patients have been switched from Januvia to Onglyza than vice versa. Onglyza and Januvia share similar clinical profiles, yet Onglyza gained a label extension in early 2011 for type 2 diabetes patients with moderate to severe renal impairment using the lower of two dosages. The use of Januvia in these patients requires further dose adjustment.

“Januvia continues to dominate sales within the drug class given its position as the first-to-market DPP-IV inhibitor and with the longer-term physician familiarity it has gained by launching three years earlier than Onglyza in the U.S. market,” said Decision Resources Analyst Kate Sullivan. “Onglyza’s label extension will make the drug a more suitable alternative to metformin in patients with renal disease or dysfunction as metformin is contraindicated in these patients. However, Onglyza will face further competition following the June 2011 launch of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Tradjenta, a DPP-IV inhibitor that can be prescribed at full dose without need for dose adjustment, even in patients with severe renal impairment.

The analysis also finds that Novo Nordisk’s Victoza continued to gain patient share at the expense of Amylin/Eli Lilly’s Byetta. There is a higher degree of switching from Byetta to Victoza than vice versa, likely due to Victoza’s more convenient dosing schedule, along with its superior efficacy and tolerability profile.

The analysis is part of Decision Resources’ Treatment Algorithms series. Through examination of patient-level claims data, the Treatment Algorithms series provides exceptional insight into physicians’ prescribing trends and the factors that drive therapy choice, from diagnosis through multiple courses of treatment, for a specific disease. The Treatment Algorithms series is updated quarterly and allows for longitudinal analysis of prescribing trends.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources Group company.

About Decision Resources Group

Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources Group at http://www.decisionresourcesgroup.com/.

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