Issue 36 October 2011
7.Diabetes Medicine Updates

Cellnovo Mobile Diabetes Management System Receives CE Approval

Cellnovo has received CE Mark approval for its mobile diabetes management system. The system includes an insulin patch pump, a wireless touch screen handset with a built-in blood glucose monitor, and an extendable applications set.

According to Cellnovo, the insulin patch pump is the smallest and most precise one available on the market. It uses rechargeable batteries and is attached to the body using a Velcro-like adhesive strip. The small plastic insulin reservoir is the only discardable part. The pump works by using a wax actuator and has only one moving part: when it receives a signal to release insulin, wax inside the pump is rapidly converted from solid to liquid, pushing the plunger that infuses insulin. This way an accuracy of 1-2% of the target dose of insulin can be reached. Patients receive two pumps, so one can recharge while the other is being worn.

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FDA approves combination therapy Juvisync

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Juvisync (sitagliptin and simvastatin), a fixed-dose combination (FDC) prescription medication that contains two previously approved medicines in one tablet for use in adults who need both sitagliptin and simvastatin.

Sitagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that enhances the body's own ability to lower elevated blood sugar and is approved for use in combination with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Simvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, or statin, approved for use with diet and exercise to reduce the amount of “bad cholesterol” (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or LDL-C) in the blood.

Juvisync was approved in dosage strengths for sitagliptin/simvastatin of 100 mg/10 mg, 100 mg/20 mg and 100 mg/40 mg. The company has committed to develop FDC tablets with the sitagliptin 50 mg dose, as Juvisync 50 mg/10 mg, 50 mg/20 mg and 50 mg/40 mg. Pending availability of the FDC tablets containing 50 mg of sitagliptin, patients who require this dose should continue to use the single ingredient sitagliptin tablet.It is reported that there is no plan to develop FDCs with the sitagliptin 25 mg dose as use of this dose is quite low.

The most common side effects of Juvisync include upper respiratory infection; stuffy or runny nose and sore throat; headache; muscle and stomach pain; constipation; and nausea.

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