Lilly Expands Diabetes Arsenal
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) has added what it says could be the first needle-free rescue treatment for severe hypoglycemia. The company has acquired the global rights to intranasal glucagon from Locemia Solutions in Canada for an undisclosed amount.
The potential treatment is currently in Phase III clinical trials. Lilly Diabetes President Enrique Conterno says, if approved, "glucagon nasal powder would be an important innovation for people with diabetes and an exciting addition to our product portfolio. Administration of glucagon is critical when people with diabetes experience a severe hypoglycemic episode, and in an emergency situation, not having to reconstitute or inject the medicine would reduce the complexity in an already stressful situation. We look forward to bringing this product to market."
It is delivered with a plunger device that releases a puff of the drug, which is then absorbed in nasal passages.