The U.K.'s health-care cost-effectiveness body Friday confirmed initial guidance recommending Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) and Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (AMLN) Type 2 diabetes drug Bydureon for use in the U.K.'s publicly funded National Health Service.

In final guidance, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, or NICE, said the injectable medicine, known generically as exenatide, could be given in combination with certain other drugs in obese patients with a body mass index above 35, or those for whom insulin injections wouldn't be suitable.

In a statement, NICE said exenatide improves the ability of patients with Type 2 diabetes to control their blood sugar levels in a number of ways. These include enhanced glucose-dependent insulin secretion and reduced glucose-dependent glucagon secretion in response to eating, which helps stop the liver from overproducing sugar when it isn't needed.

Carole Longson, NICE's health technology evaluation center director, said: "2.25 million people in the U.K. are now affected by Type 2 diabetes, therefore it is important that there are a range of effective treatment options, such as prolonged-release exenatide, available to them.

"Type 2 diabetes is a serious, progressive disease; I am sure all those affected will welcome this positive final draft recommendation."

-By Sten Stovall, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 207 842 9292; sten.stovall@dowjones.com

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