Sanofi-aventis launches major insulin research program in partnership with the international scientific community
Sanofi-aventis announced the company’s action plan to provide methodologically robust research that will contribute to the scientific resolution of the debate over insulin safety, including insulin analogs and Lantus® (insulin glargine). The research program is designed to generate more information on whether there is any association between cancer and insulin use and to assess if there is any difference in risk between insulin glargine and other insulins. This matter has been the subject of extensive discussion and debate within the scientific and medical communities for many years. While there is a consensus among leading scientists around the world regarding the difficulties of developing conclusive evidence, sanofi-aventis is committed to exploring this matter in depth, as was communicated by the company earlier this year.
Sanofi-aventis' scientific plan will encompass state-of-the-art pre-clinical and clinical programs involving human insulin and insulin glargine. Pre-clinical studies will assess the differential effects of insulin glargine, its metabolites and other insulins in various models. The clinical development plan is based on several rigorous epidemiological studies, designed and implemented with the support of international experts and institutions, that will be conducted across Europe and North America. The plan is structured to yield short-term and longer-term results.
“Sanofi-aventis is committed to patients’ safety,” said Dr. Jean-Pierre Lehner, Chief Medical Officer, sanofi-aventis. “We know that patients, physicians and the medical community at large are looking forward to getting increased scientific knowledge on the matter. We believe that the plan that we are currently implementing will generate robust data that will help add to the assessment of any insulin’s and Lantus®’ safety.”
Sanofi-aventis' scientific program and studies will be initiated in the coming weeks. Timelines for study completion and data generation will vary depending on each type of study.
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