( - BYETTA also Showed Sustained Improvem...)Byetta Treatment for Three and a Half Years Associated with,Reductions in Cardiovascular Risk Factors in People with Type 2,Diabetes,Health

CHICAGO, June 23, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company today announced results from a study that showed BYETTA(R) (exenatide) injection sustained improvements in blood sugar levels and progressive weight loss through three and a half years of therapy. BYETTA treatment was also associated with improvements in cardiovascular risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes. These findings were presented at the 67th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in Chicago.

People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for various cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure and cholesterol. In this study, 151 people with type 2 diabetes who had taken part in a 30-week placebo-controlled trial were followed in open-label extension studies. After three and a half years, participants using BYETTA (10 mcg) twice daily with oral medication showed sustained reductions in blood sugar as measured by A1C (-0.8 +/- 0.1 percent) and fasting blood glucose (-24 +/- 4 mg/dL), consistent with findings from previous studies.

Treatment with BYETTA in combination with common oral medications was also associated with progressive weight loss (-11.68 +/- 1.1 lbs), improved triglyceride levels (-44.4 +/- 12.1 mg/dL or 12 percent), and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure (-3.5 +/- 1.2 mmHg or 2 percent and -3.3 +/- 0.8 mmHg or 4 percent, respectively). Results also showed an increase in HDL, or "good" cholesterol levels after three and a half years (+8.5 +/- 0.6 mg/dL or 24 percent) and a decrease in LDL, or "bad" cholesterol levels (-11.8 +/- 2.9 mg/dL or 6 percent).(1,2)

"The sustained improvements in blood glucose control and the secondary benefits of progressive weight loss seen with BYETTA are well documented," said David Ken
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