A study indicates that AstraZeneca drug Farxiga reduced the progression of kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Data presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 79th Scientific Sessions in San Francisco and published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, showed a 47 percent reduction with Farxiga.
This analysis evaluated 17,160 patients. People with diabetes have a high risk of kidney disease and failure.
Elisabeth Björk, senior vice president, said: “Heart failure and renal diseases are two of the most common and early complications experienced by people living with type 2 diabetes, and are too often overlooked. They contribute to a growing economic burden on the global healthcare system and can lead to fatal outcomes for patients. These data continue to offer clinically relevant evidence of the early cardio-renal effects of Farxiga.”
Farxiga is used as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
The drug can run more than $500 a month for patients without insurance coverage. Insurance costs vary and AstraZeneca offers an assistance program for patients who cannot afford the drug.
The tablets are heavily advertised, with the drug listed as 18th in ad spending at $75 million, according to the Fierce Pharma website.
AstraZeneca, which employs about 1,500 in Delaware, the site of administrative and logistics operations. AZ has seen its stock price rise on a string of positive developments in its drug pipeline. Shares are trading at around $39 a share, a few dollars off the 52-week high for the stock.
