Vikram Singh, MD, head of medical affairs & pharmacovigilance, Janssen India, told dna, "This drug canagliflozin prevents kidneys from reabsorbing glucose. As a result, it allows kidneys to excrete glucose in urine. So there is an improved glycemic control and the most important parameter we measure is reduction in glycated hemoglobin, or HbA1c."
Janssen, the pharma division of Johnson & Johnson, on Wednesday, announced its entry into the anti-diabetic space in India with launch of Invokana (canagliflozin), a differentiated and new treatment option for type 2 diabetes.
About 6.7 crore people suffer from type 2 diabetes, a serious chronic disease that causes glucose levels in the blood to become too high.
To be taken orally once a day, the drug belongs to a new class of medication called sodium glucose (sugar) co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
Vikram Singh, MD, head of medical affairs & pharmacovigilance, Janssen India, told dna, "This drug canagliflozin prevents kidneys from reabsorbing glucose. As a result, it allows kidneys to excrete glucose in urine. So there is an improved glycemic control and the most important parameter we measure is reduction in glycated hemoglobin, or HbA1c."
The drug has been evaluated in more than 10,000 patients as a standalone therapy and as an add-on to any other drug including insulin.
"It worked very well across the spectrum of diabetes patients. Out of that, around 1,038 patients were from India," Singh said.
Sanjiv Navangul, managing director, Janssen India, said, "Invokana has very good efficacy which is proven over many many clinical trials. It also has demonstrated better HbA1c reduction to many current available diabetic options."
The efficacy with both 100 mg and 300 mg strengths are much better sustained for longer duration of time compared to existing drugs. The effects start immediately with the peak efficacy coming within 6-8 weeks. There are other advantages such as significant weight-loss and beneficial effect on blood pressure.
The daily cost of treatment is priced at Rs 51 per pill, with 30-day treatment costing around Rs 1,530.
J&J has presence in diabetes market with products like glucometer.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}