Dive Brief:
- Tanzeum (albiglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist designed for improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- Tanzeum is a once-weekly injectable; however, it is not recommended as a first-line treatment for patients who are not also on a regular diet and exercise regimen.
- Tanzeum is not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes or pancreatitis.
Dive Insight:
GLP-1 receptor agonists have become an important option in the diabetes treatment landscape. Tanzeum was approved based on a phase III program with over 5000 patients, including 2000 Tanzeum-treated patients. Tanzeum was tested head to head against various treatments for type 2 diabetes, including insulin, metformin, glimperide and pioglitazone.
Tanzeum is the second weekly GLP-1 agonist available to patients alongside Byetta (exenatide). Because of concerns about certain side effects, including thyroid C-cell cancer, Tanzeum carries a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) aimed at physicians. In order to continue assessing the drug’s safety profile, GSK will conduct three post-marketing studies focusing on thyroid cancer risk, cardiovascular risks and treatment in the pediatric population.