Dulaglutide for Type 2 diabetes


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Indications: Type 2 diabetes
Year: 2021

Dulaglutide is in clinical development for the treatment of children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM is a lifelong condition that develops when the body becomes resistant to, or does not produce enough, insulin – a hormone produced in the pancreas. Insulin is needed for glycaemic control (controlling the amount of sugar in the blood). A lack of insulin, or resistance to insulin in T2DM patients causes blood sugar levels to become too high. If blood sugar remains high over a long period of time this can result in serious complications. Pharmacotherapeutic options for youth with T2DM are limited at this time. Therefore, there is a need to develop new treatment options that are effective in reducing blood sugar levels in T2DM patients.
Subcutaneous dulaglutide activates the receptor for glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). When the blood sugar is at higher levels, dulaglutide causes the pancreatic cells to release insulin and other processes that regulate blood sugar. If licensed, dulaglutide will provide an additional treatment option to improve glycaemic control in children and adolescents with T2DM.