Diabetes Dialogue: SURMOUNT-2 Reaction, Omnipod GO, and Verapamil for T1D

The final days of April brought forth a slew of advances and news for the diabetes community.

In this episode of Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, and Real-World Perspectives, Diana Isaacs, PharmD, an endocrine clinical pharmacist and coordinator of the Remote Monitoring Program at the Cleveland Clinic, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, program director of Diabetes Technology at University Hospitals Diabetes and Metabolic Care Center, break down how SURMOUNT-2 topline results illustrate the potential of tirzepatide in weight management and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the Omnipod GO system.

Coming 364 days after the announcement of toppling results from the landmark SURMOUNT-1 trial, Eli Lilly and Company announced topline data and plans to present full data from the SURMOUNT-2 trial in a release on April 27, 2023. According to the release, patients in the 72-week trial, which included patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight plus at least one weight-related comorbidity, randomized to the 10 mg and 15 mg doses of tirzepatide achieved mean weight reductions of 13.4% (29.8 lb. or 13.5 kg) and 15.7% (34.4 lb. or 15.6 kg), respectively, compared to 3.3% (7.0 lb. or 3.2 kg) with placebo.¹

Further data highlighted in the release indicated 81.6% and 86.4% of those taking the 10 mg and 15 mg tirzepatide, respectively, achieved a body weight reduction of at least 5% compared to 30.5% of those taking placebo. Additionally, 41.4% and 51.8% of people taking 10 and 15 mg tirzepatide, respectively, achieved at least 15% body weight reduction compared to 2.6% of those taking placebo.¹

On April 25, 2023, Insulet Corporation announced the FDA had granted clearance to their Omnipod GO device for use as an insulin delivery device people with type 2 diabetes aged 18 years or older who typically take daily injections. Billed by Insulet as first-of-its-kind, basal-only insulin pod, the company noted plans to make the product commercially available in the US beginning in 2024.²

According to Insulet, the device is a standalone, wearable, insulin delivery system capable a fixed rate of continuous rapid-acting insulin for 72 hours and offers 8 different programmed daily rates ranging from 10-40 units per day. In their announcement, Insulet pointed out the Omnipod GO was developed with the specific intent of serving people with type 2 diabetes earlier in their treatment journey.²

Later in the episode, hosts discuss the CLVer trial. A 52-week trial comparing verapamil against placebo therapy on pancreatic beta cell function among a cohort adolescents aged 7-17 years with stage 3 type 1 diabetes, results of the trial suggested use of verapamil was associated with a partial preservation of stimulated C-peptide secretion at 52 weeks relative to placebo therapy, with C-peptide levels in the verapamil group 30% greater than those in the placebo group.³

References:

1. Campbell P. Tirzepatide achieves mean weight loss of 15.7% in surmount-2 trial. HCP Live. April 27, 2023. Accessed May 3, 2023. https://www.hcplive.com/view/tirzepatide-achieves-mean-weight-loss-of-15-7-in-surmount-2-trial.
2. Campbell P. Omnipod go receives FDA clearance for people with type 2 diabetes. HCP Live. April 25, 2023. Accessed May 3, 2023. https://www.hcplive.com/view/omnipod-go-receives-fda-clearance-for-people-with-type-2-diabetes.
3. Campbell P. Verapamil could preserve beta cell function in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. HCP Live. April 3, 2023. Accessed May 3, 2023. https://www.hcplive.com/view/verapamil-could-preserve-beta-cell-function-in-newly-diagnosed-type-1-diabetes.

Relevant disclosures for Dr. Isaacs include Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Abbott Diabetes Care, Dexcom, Medtronic, and others. Relevant disclosures for Dr. Bellini include Abbott Diabetes Care.