Depomed, King Pharmaceuticals to launch Glumetza as new ADA guidelines are issued

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., Aug. 23 - Depomed, Inc. and King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. are preparing to launch Glumetza (metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets) as new guidelines recommending that treatment with metformin start at diagnosis, along with lifestyle changes, in patients with type 2 diabetes are released.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) made the recommendation in a new consensus statement published in the August 2006 issue of Diabetes Care.

Unless contraindicated, the ADA and EASD recommend metformin due to its effect on glycemia and absence of weight gain.

Glumetza is a novel formulation of metformin that uses Depomed's AcuForm drug delivery technology.

Present-day diabetes management fails to adequately maintain glycemia, as measured by HbA1C levels of less than 7%. The ADA and EASD recommendation is based on results from a study showing metformin lowers HbA1C levels by about 1.5 percentage points.

"Although there are now more options than ever before in the treatment of diabetes, this consensus statement demonstrates that metformin plays a vital role," Depomed president and chief executive officer John W. Fara said in a company news release.

"We look forward to launching Glumetza with King next month, and we believe it increases the potential of what metformin can offer and will help physicians and patients achieve their glycemic control goals."

Diabetes affects an estimated 20 million Americans, with up to 95% of diabetics suffering from type 2 diabetes.

Located in Menlo Park, Calif., Depomed is a specialty pharmaceutical company using its AcuForm drug delivery technology to develop novel oral products and extended release formulations of existing oral drugs.

King is a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company based in Bristol, Tenn.

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