Randomized, Double-Blind, Dose-Ranging Study of TAK-875, a Novel GPR40 Agonist, in Japanese Patients With Inadequately Controlled Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the efficacy and safety of TAK-875 (a novel GPR40 agonist) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by diet/exercise. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a phase II, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 12-week dose-ranging evaluation of TAK-875 (6.25–200 mg once daily) with the primary end point of change in A1C at week 12. A nonblinded group received 1 mg glimepiride once daily as an active control. RESULTS: A total of 396 patients were randomized to receive TAK-875 (n = 299), placebo (n = 48), or glimepiride (n = 49). The least square mean changes in A1C at week 12 from baseline were as follows: 0.09% in the placebo group; −0.54, −0.67, −0.88, −1.27, −1.29, and −1.40% in the 6.25-, 12.5-, 25-, 50-, 100-, and 200-mg TAK-875 groups, respectively; and −1.32% in the 1-mg glimepiride group. All TAK-875 groups had statistically significant reductions in A1C compared with placebo (P < 0.0001), and those receiving ≥50 mg TAK-875 achieved reductions in A1C equivalent to those with glimepiride. Results for other glycemic parameters, including improvements during a meal tolerance test, mirrored these positive findings with TAK-875. There were no significant differences in incidence of adverse events among the groups and no dose-dependent changes in tolerability. Hypoglycemic episodes were reported in 0.7% of patients in the TAK-875 groups and in 4.1% of the glimepiride group. CONCLUSIONS: TAK-875 produced clinically and statistically significant improvements in glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by diet and exercise, and it was well tolerated with a lower propensity to cause hypoglycemia.