Mr Pierre Chancel, senior VP, diabetes division, Sanofi
The candidate had been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to control high blood sugar in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Afrezza is a drug-device combination product that consists of a dry formulation of human insulin delivered from a small and portable inhaler to help patients achieve blood sugar control.
"Many people living with diabetes are not able to control their blood sugar on their current medications and may benefit from using insulin. Now they have another option to administer insulin that is not an injection," said Dr Janet McGill, Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis and Afrezza clinical trial investigator. "This delivery option may help change the dialogue between health care professionals and people living with diabetes about initiating or intensifying insulin therapy."
Afrezza is rapidly absorbed and has a short duration of action. It is administered at the beginning of a meal.
"Afrezza is an important addition to Sanofi's growing diabetes portfolio of integrated, personalized offerings, and it is one that highlights our dedication to bringing innovative therapies to people with this disease," said Mr Pierre Chancel, senior VP, diabetes division, Sanofi. "There is a recognized need for an insulin that doesn't require an injection, and our organization is committed to making this new treatment option available to patients."
It can help control high blood sugar as part of a diabetes management plan that may include diet, exercise and other diabetes medications.
The powder should not be used in patients with chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD. It cannot be used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis. Also, it is not recommended in patients who smoke or who have recently stopped smoking.
"We are extremely proud to see the many years of work that went into developing Afrezza culminate in the day when it is now available to help people manage their diabetes," stated Mr Alfred Mann, executive chairman, MannKind Corporation.
