Cotadutide significantly reduces blood sugar and weight in diabetics with CKD: Study

UK: A recent study in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism has found that cotadutide is an effective treatment option in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The treatment was shown to significantly improve postprandial blood sugar control and reduce bodyweight versus placebo. 

"Reductions in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratios suggest potential benefits of cotadutide on kidney function. further evaluation in larger, longer-term clinical trials may be warranted," Victoria E. R. Parker, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK, and colleagues wrote in their study.

Cotadutide (MEDI0382) is a balanced GLP-1 and glucagon receptor dual agonist, with an approx ratio of 5:1 GLP-1 to glucagon activity. Dr. Parker and colleagues conducted the study with an objective to assess the safety, efficacy and tolerability of cotadutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease in a phase 2a study. 

The study included patients with body mass index 25-45 kg/m2, estimated glomerular filtration rate 30-59 ml/min/1.73 m2 and type 2 diabetes [glycated haemoglobin 6.5-10.5% (48-91 mmol/mol)] controlled with insulin and/or oral therapy combination. They were randomized in the ratio of 1:1 to once-daily subcutaneous cotadutide (50-300 μg) or placebo for 32 days. Plasma glucose concentration assessed using a mixed-meal tolerance test was the primary endpoint.