AstraZeneca launches diabetes drug, stock up 20%

AstraZeneca Pharma today said it has launched diabetes drug 'Forxiga' in India.
"Forxiga helps remove excess glucose from the body. It offers a new treatment approach for patients by improving glycaemic control with added benefits of weight loss and blood pressure reduction," AstraZeneca said in a filing to BSE.
"Forxiga tablets are indicated as a once daily oral medication to improve glycaemic control in adult patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus."
AstraZeneca Pharma MD Sanjay Murdeshwar said the drug would offer an additional treatment option to over 63 million diabetes mellitus patients in India.
"Forxiga represents a significant advancement in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus with global safety and efficacy data of four years," he said.

The pharma company had received the approval of Drug Controller General of India in February. The drug is currently approved in 40 countries, it said.
AstraZeneca surged 20 per cent to Rs 1,147.70 in early trade on BSE today.