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Aventis launches LANTUS in India

Aventis Pharma Limited, a leading pharmaceutical company in the treatment of diabetes in the country, on Monday launched LANTUS, the world's first and only once-a-day, 24-hour basal insulin, which means that it has a 24-hour duration of action. This is possible since LANTUS steadily releases insulin, ensuring slower absorption and longer lasting effects.

LANTUS also has a unique peakless profile, which greatly reduces the risk of hypoglycemia and therefore improves glycemic control and reduces the risk of diabetes-led complications compared to currently available therapies using intermediate or long acting insulins. The quality of life for people living with diabetes improves significantly since the once-daily treatment of LANTUS reduces regimentation.

In people with Type 1 diabetes, LANTUS is used as a once-daily treatment in combination with fast-acting insulins at meal times. In Type 2 diabetes, LANTUS is used as a once-daily treatment either alone or in combination with oral insulins (tablets). LANTUS is injected into the fatty layer of the tissue just below the skin (subcutaneously) once a day.

LANTUS is an analogue insulin in its molecular structure. Analogues are altered molecular versions of a natural substance. In an analogue, the natural hormone is changed slightly by altering the position of amino acids within the molecule. This new version of the natural substance works in basically the same way as the original substance, but with changes designed to help the body use it more effectively.

LANTUS was first launched in Germany in May 2000, followed by the United States in May 2001 and in the United Kingdom and Ireland in August 2002. It is now the single largest basal insulin brand in the German market. In the United States, it is the number one insulin in newly insulinised Type 2 patients, and the most frequently prescribed basal insulin in newly diagnosed Type 1 patients.

Sandeep Bhattacharya, Director (Commercial Operations), Aventis Pharma, said, "Diabetes is a serious problem challenging our nation medically, socially and economically. India currently has the largest diabetic population in the world, with 37 million people, and the numbers are estimated to grow to 57.2 million in 2025. The launch of LANTUS reflects Aventis' commitment to bringing the latest bio-technological breakthroughs in a speedy manner to the Indian population".

"LANTUS will change for the better the way diabetes is treated. It has the potential to improve metabolic control, thereby reducing the threat of complications arising out of uncontrolled diabetes. This will make diabetes management safer and simpler," he said.

In clinical trials, LANTUS has been shown to provide 24-hour blood glucose lowering activity while being administered just once per day. In addition, patients receiving LANTUS have been shown to experience fewer episodes of hypoglycemia than those who were treated with other basal insulins, including NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn).

The introduction of LANTUS in India is the latest step in the global roll-out of the product. Aventis plans to continue to expand the availability of LANTUS in Europe and the rest of the world in 2003 and 2004. LANTUS will be available in 10ml vials for an introductory price of Rs 2,499 in India.

Aventis Pharma currently offers Doonil (Glibenclamide) and Amaryl (glimepiride), both oral sulfonylureas, which are ranked the No 1 and 2 brands respectively in their categories and Insuman in the insulin category. LANTUS is expected to become the flagship of the Aventis diabetes portfolio.

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