The increased understanding of the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has led to the development of new drug classes with novel mechanisms of action, such as those based on incretin hormones. Despite these advancements in medical therapy, the first-line treatment for most T2D patients is metformin, an oral antihyperglycemic medication that became commercially available in Europe in 1972.1
As T2D is progressive, most patients will require treatment intensification to achieve recommended glycemic (HbA1c) levels. This typically involves combination therapy of two or more oral medications or escalation to injectable therapies (insulin or GLP-1 receptor agonists).2 Combination therapies or transition to GLP-1 receptor agonists or insulin can introduce new side effects, such as vomiting or diarrhea in the case of GLP-1 receptor agonists or hypoglycemia and weight gain as is the case with insulin.3
“Many patients don’t want to use insulin. They don’t want to do finger sticks and they’re afraid of hypoglycemia.” Prof. Harold Lebovitz, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn, New York
However, treatment intensification may not reduce HbA1c to the desired level, as the side effects may cause patients to skip doses.4 Lack of patient adherence to treatment regimens remains a clinical challenge, with over 50% of T2D patients not taking their oral antihyperglycemic medication.5,6 With smaller-sized needles and pre-mixed formulas, adherence to insulin has improved over the last several years but remains sub-optimal at 62%-64%.7
Diabetes places an enormous burden on the global healthcare system. Worldwide healthcare expenditures totaled US$612 billion in 2014.8 The majority of these costs are not related to T2D medication. Rather, hospitalizations for diabetes-related side effects (e.g., hypoglycemia) and complications (e.g., heart attack, kidney failure, etc.) comprise the bulk of diabetes healthcare expenditures.9,10 Costs are expected to rise, driven by an increasing overweight and obese population and a subsequent rise in global diabetes prevalence.11,12
“To fight the global diabetes pandemic, we would ideally have an accessible cost-effective easily-compliant intervention that has high clinical efficacy and that is free of adverse side effects.” Prof. Harold Lebovitz
While there have been remarkable advancements in recent years, there continue to be deficits in T2D therapies. An optimal treatment would meaningfully reduce HbA1c, minimize patient adherence as a factor in treatment efficacy, and have minimal side effects. If this were achieved, the consumption of healthcare resources—including the amount of time that healthcare providers spend on T2D management—could be significantly reduced while improving the lives of millions of patients.
About type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from inadequate insulin secretion or insulin resistance. The most common form of diabetes, it represents 90% of all cases. Often referred to as a pandemic, it is estimated that over 400 million people worldwide are affected by diabetes, with management costs exceeding $800 billion annually.
About DIAMOND therapy
DIAMOND therapy is delivered via an implantable medical device which has the potential to be used as an alternative to insulin. The safety and efficacy of DIAMOND therapy have been validated in clinical trials involving over 300 patients, including a pilot study which demonstrated a comparable effectiveness to insulin treatment, but avoiding many side-effects and the inconvenience of frequent blood tests and injections. Designed to treat type 2 diabetes in obese patients who are refractory to oral medication, DIAMOND therapy is delivered via a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the abdomen, which delivers electrical signals to the stomach when eating, improving glycemic control and promoting weight loss. DIAMOND has received CE mark and is approved for sale in Europe, Australia and other international markets; it is currently not approved for use in the USA. For more information, visit www.MetaCure.com/DIAMOND.
About MetaCure
MetaCure, a member of the Hobart Healthcare companies, aims to provide a better way to manage type 2 diabetes, focusing on the impact on the day-to-day lives of patients. It develops, produces and markets the DIAMOND therapy, an alternative to insulin delivered via a proprietary implantable device. For more information, visit www.MetaCure.com.
About Hobart Healthcare
Hobart Healthcare develops and commercializes medical technologies which target top healthcare markets with significant unmet needs. Its growing portfolio of companies covers the areas of cardiology, diabetes, oncology, neurology and rehabilitation. Together, Hobart Healthcare companies have over 200 scientists, engineers, regulatory and business experts across four continents, benefitting from clinical expertise and extensive regulatory and international market knowledge across Europe, the USA and Asia. For more information, visit www.Hobart-Healthcare.com.
Contact
Octan Bannis
Company Secretary
Media@Hobart-Healthcare.com
References
[1] White JR Jr. A brief history of the development of diabetes medications. Diabetes.
[2] American Diabetes Association (ADA). Standards of care in diabetes—2015. Diabetes Care. 2015;38 Suppl:S4.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Pollack MF, Purayidathil FW, Bolge SC, Williams SA. Patient-reported tolerability issues with oral antidiabetic agents: Associations with adherence; treatment satisfaction and health-related quality of life. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2010;87:204-10.
[5] Karter AJ, Parker MM, Moffet HH, Ahmed AT, Schmittdiel JA, Selby JV. New prescription medication gaps: a comprehensive measure of adherence to new prescriptions. Health Serv Res. 2009;44:1640–1661.
[6] Guillausseau P-J. Influence of oral antidiabetic drugs compliance on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes: a survey in general practice. Diabetes Metab. 2003;29:79–81.
[7] Garcia-Perez LE, Alvarez M, Dilla T, Gil-Guillen V, Orozco-Beltran D. Adherence to therapies in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Ther. 2013;4:175-94.
[8] International Diabetes Federation (IDF). IDF Diabetes Atlas, Sixth Edition. 2014 Update.
[9] ADA. Economic costs of diabetes in the U.S. in 2012. Diabetes Care. 2013;36:1033-46.
[10] Fu H, Curtis BH, Xie W, Festa A, et al. Frequency and causes of hospitalization in older compared to younger adults with type 2 diabetes in the United States: A retrospective, claims-based analysis. J Diabetes Complications. 2014;28:477-81.
[11] IDF. Global diabetes plan: 2011-2021.
[12] Astrup A, Finer N. Redefining type 2 diabetes: ‘Diabesity’ or ‘obesity-dependent diabetes mellitus’? Obes Rev. 2000;1:57-9.
