Elanco Announces FDA Approval of Bexacat™ (bexagliflozin tablets) – the First-of-its-Kind Oral Feline Diabetes Treatment Option
December 09 2022 - 10:48AM
Business Wire
Today Elanco Animal Health (NYSE:ELAN) announced the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Bexacat™ (bexagliflozin
tablets), the first orally administered prescription medication to
improve glycemic control in cats with diabetes mellitus, expanding
Elanco’s innovative feline portfolio while addressing an unmet need
for this chronic condition in adult cats.
An estimated 600,000 cats in the U.S. are diagnosed with
diabetes during their lifetime, with the prevalence of this
devastating disease increasing over the past decade.i,ii Research
shows 125,000 cats go untreated, partially because traditional
insulin treatments require frequent dosages and additional supplies
for injectable administration.iii Left untreated, feline diabetes
can result in weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, dehydration,
severe depression, problems with motor function, coma, and even
death.
Bexacat is the first sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2)
inhibitor approved by the FDA in any animal species. Bexacat
introduces a new mechanism of action for veterinarians and pet
owners that offers a non-insulin, needle-free, once-daily oral
medication specifically designed for cats with diabetes mellitus.
This first-in-class therapeutic is indicated to improve glycemic
control in otherwise healthy cats with diabetes mellitus not
previously treated with insulin. Elanco licensed development and
commercialization rights for bexagliflozin from BexCaFe, an
affiliate of IncreVet.
According to Dr. Catharine Scott-Moncrieff, Professor and Head
of the Department of Clinical Sciences at Purdue University's
College of Veterinary Medicine, “I believe that Bexacat will be a
game changer for the management of cats newly diagnosed with
diabetes mellitus."
In the pivotal field study, the use of Bexacat in newly
diagnosed, otherwise healthy cats showed that 83% of cats were
considered a treatment success by day 56, based on a significant
improvement in glycemic control and at least one clinical sign
associated with diabetes mellitus. In both pilot and pivotal
studies, the average blood glucose levels decreased significantly
within 8 hours of administration.iv Bexacat limits the uncertainty
of errors associated with dosing and is a more efficient option for
today’s on-the-go pet owner lifestyle. By providing an oral tablet,
Elanco seeks to improve convenience and increase compliance rates
by removing the barriers associated with insulin injections.
“It’s really about the human-animal bond,” said Dr. Michael
Breer, Senior Director, US Pet Health Consulting Veterinarians.
“When developing treatment options for pet owners, we need to
consider the paradigm shift that has taken place over the past few
years. More than ever, our pets are part of the family. People are
apprehensive about using needles to inject their pets with
medication. Bexacat integrates seamlessly into the busy lifestyle
of pet owners and provides a needle-free approach to managing
diabetes in cats.”
The approval of Bexacat expands Elanco’s existing feline
portfolio of innovative solutions that address the health needs of
today’s cats, along with products such as Zorbium™ (buprenorphine
transdermal solution), Credelio® Cat (lotilaner), and Elura®
(capromorelin oral suspension). This announcement reinforces
Elanco’s commitment to pioneering solutions in the underserved
chronic disease state and feline market through a growing portfolio
of treatment options.
Bexacat is anticipated to be available to U.S. veterinarians in
the first quarter of 2023.
Important Safety Information: Before using Bexacat, read the
entire product insert, including the boxed warning. Call
1-888-545-5973 for full prescribing information.
Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to be used by or
on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Not for use in humans.
Keep out of reach of children. Consult a physician in case of
accidental ingestion by humans. Cats treated with Bexacat may be at
an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis or euglycemic diabetic
ketoacidosis, both of which may result in death. Do not use Bexacat
in cats with diabetes mellitus who have previously been treated
with insulin, who are receiving insulin, or in cats with
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Due to risk of severe adverse
reactions, do not use Bexacat in cats with evidence of hepatic
disease or reduced renal function. See Animal Safety Warnings and
Precautions for other important criteria and screening tests prior
to initiating treatment with Bexacat. Discontinue Bexacat and
contact a veterinarian immediately if the cat develops anorexia,
lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or weakness.
Important Safety Information: Before using Zorbium, read the
entire package insert including the boxed human warning. Call
1-888-545-5973 for full prescribing information or visit
http://www.elancolabels.com/us/zorbium.
ABOUT ELANCO
Elanco Animal Health (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal
health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services
to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating
value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and
society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage,
we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of
animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our
local and global communities. At Elanco, we’re driven by our vision
of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our approach to
sustainability, Elanco Healthy Purpose™– all to advance the health
of animals, people, the planet and our enterprise. Learn more at
www.elanco.com.
i AVMA 2022 Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook ii Feline
Diabetes | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine iii-iv
Elanco Animal Health. Data on file.
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Elanco Investor Contact: Katy Grissom (317) 273-9284
kathryn.grissom@elancoah.com Elanco Media Contact: Season Solorio
(765) 316-0233 season.solorio@elancoah.com
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