Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly have received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Synjardy (empagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride) tablets to treat type 2 diabetes (T2D).
According to Boehringer, Synjardy is the third product containing empagliflozin to have received FDA approval, after Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Glyxambi (empagliflozin / linagliptin).
Empagliflozin is a sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, which removes excess glucose through the urine by blocking glucose re-absorption in the kidney.
Synjardy is a combination of two medicines, including empagliflozin and metformin, with complementary mechanisms of action that will control blood glucose in people with T2D.
The tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with T2D who are not adequately controlled on a regimen containing empagliflozin or metformin, or in patients already being treated with empagliflozin and metformin.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals president and CEO Paul Fonteyne said: "Synjardy is now the fifth FDA-approved medicine to emerge from the BI-Lilly Diabetes alliance pipeline in the last four years.
"No two people with diabetes are alike, and every experience is different. Our alliance is proud to offer a diverse portfolio of treatments that can help patients throughout their diabetes journey."
Metformin is an initial treatment for T2D, which reduces glucose production by the liver and its absorption in the intestine.
In 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly established partnership in diabetes to focus on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes treatment classes.
