A new experimental drug called Arxxant can reduce vision loss in diabetics by as much as 41 percent according to the results of a study released on Sunday at the annual conference of the American Diabetes Association. The study was conducted by the drug's manufacturer, Eli Lilly & Co.
Two late-stage studies were conducted by Eli Lilly which compared the effects of Arxxant to a placebo. A total of 813 patients participated in the study. The results found that 6.1 percent of the subjects taking Arxxant suffered from vision reduction while 10.2 percent of those taking the placebo saw their sight diminished.
According to Dr. Lloyd Aiello, the lead independent investigator in the studies, Arxxant can prevent approximately 70,000 cases of diabetic vision loss in the United States if the statistics from the study continue with widespread use of the drug nationwide.
Projected sales of Arxxant are not as large as initially hoped for by Eli Lilly because the drug does not help reverse or prevent nerve disease. It is nerve disease in diabetics that often leads to the amputation of limbs.
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to make a ruling on the safety of Arxxant by August. It presently has priority review status which is considered a good sign for its approval by the FDA.
