FDA approves new diabetes drug from Eli Lilly, Amylin

04/29/05 - newratings.com

NEW YORK, April 29 (newratings.com) – The Food & Drug Administration has approved the sale of a first of its kind diabetes drug developed from the saliva of the gila monster lizard. The injectable drug, Byetta, has been developed by Eli Lilly and Co (LLY) and Amylin Pharmaceuticals (AMLN).

The two companies announced on Friday that the FDA has at present approved the use of Byetta only in oral diabetes drugs. The drug is aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, whose blood sugar is not sufficiently controlled by two oral medications. The drug will be available in pharmacies from June 1. The drug suppresses the release of glucagon, which stimulates glucose release from the liver. The drug also stimulates the formation of pancreatic cells, the loss of which results in diabetes.