The UAE Ministry of Health has become the second regulatory authority in the world to register Eli Lilly's exenatide prolonged release suspension (Bydureon) treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Exenatide is the first and only once weekly therapy for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. It is an extended release medication designed to deliver a steady plasma concentration of exenatide in a single weekly dose.

Announcing this at a press conference on Sunday, the officials highlighted Lilly’s commitment to advance innovation in the diabetes field and the ministry's commitment in providing the latest solutions to patients with diabetes in the UAE to help them reach their treatment goals.

The UAE approval marks second registration worldwide after the European Commission. Bydureon is the first once-weekly treatment for type 2 diabetes, they added.

“We are proud to be able to make available, to patients, doctors and healthcare professionals an innovative treatment for diabetes within few months of being registered in Europe,” said  Huzur Devletsah – general manager of Lilly for the Gulf Area.

“This is only possible through effective collaboration and engagement of the ministry of health to advance patient care in the field of diabetes,” he noted.

Joachim Becker- senior advisor- diabetes strategy – Lilly Emerging Markets, "It will answer an important unmet need for patients and healthcare professionals."

“Importantly, exenatide for prolonged release suspension will help patients achieve better glycaemic control in single weekly dose – giving them added confidence and freedom while managing type 2 diabetes.”

"Exenatide prolonged release provides glyacemic control whenever blood glucose levels are elevated, offering the potential for improved HBA1C control with the added benefit of weight loss occurring in most patients," he explained.

Exenatide prolonged release is a once-weekly formulation of exenatide, the active in exenatide twice daily injection, which has been available in the US since 2005 and in Europe since 2007.

It is being used by more than 1.8 million patients in 70 countries worldwide to improve glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.-TradeArabia News Service