The last week of each month, our editorial team compiles a list of our most popular endocrinology content from the past month for a month in review recap. The January 2023 endocrinology month in review features coverage of the FDA’s approval of bexagliflozin, news surrounding semaglutide, and the introduction of an expert-led, diabetes-focused podcast to HCPLive Endocrinology.

A New SGLT2i Scores Approval

Bexagliflozin (Brenzavvy) Receives FDA Approval for Type 2 Diabetes in Adults

In recent years, headline after headline have announced and touted the latest approvals for SGLT2 inhibitors, namely dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, as they have revolutionized management of cardiometabolic diseases with revelations of their cardiorenal protective benefits. In late January, an SGLT2 inhibitor once again was receiving attention for receiving approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, with bexagliflozin (Brenzavvy) receiving approval and becoming the second novel drug approval from the FDA in 2023.

Announced on January 23, the approval of bexagliflozin was awarded to TheracosBio and indicates the SGLT2 inhibitor for use as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. In their statement, TheracosBio noted the approval is based on data from a clinical program boasting nearly 2 dozen trials with more than 5000 adults with type 2 diabetes.

Semaglutide Continues to Make Waves

In the past year, semaglutide, whether it be oral or subcutaneous and irrespective of the dose, have become a bigger point of discussion in the medical and mainstream media than most could have imagined. With indications for obesity, allegations of rampant celebrity use, and nationwide shortages, the GLP-1 receptor agonist has been in the spotlight, in some way, for the better part of the past half-decade. January 2023 was no different. As people with diabetes and/or overweight and obesity still dealing with major shortages, the oral form of the agent received a historic label update from the FDA and new data providing additional insight into the effects of semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) on eating behaviors and cravings.

FDA Updates Label For Oral Semaglutide, Making Agent A First-Line Therapy In Type 2 Diabetes

On January 12, Novo Nordisk announced the FDA had approved a label update for oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) allowing for the agent to be used as a first-line therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes. The label update, which includes both the 7 mg and 14 mg formulations of oral semaglutide, removes a previous limitation stating the medication should not be used as an initial therapy, clearing the way for the oral GLP-1 receptor agonist to be used a first-line therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Semaglutide 2.4 mg and Appetite Control

Published in Obesity on January 18, an analysis of data from a subgroup of patients within the STEP 5 trial provides insight into the 2-year effects of semaglutide 2.4 mg on appetite control and cravings. A phase 3b trial comparing weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg against placebo for long-term treatment of obesity or overweight with at least 1 weight-related comorbidity without diabetes, results demonstrated use of semaglutide as an adjunct to exercise and diet was associated with a mean weight loss of 15.2% at 104 weeks compared to 2.6% with placebo.

Led by Sean Wharton, PharmD, of McMaster University, results of the posthoc analysis, which leveraged data from a subgroup of patients who completed a 19-item Control of Eating Questionnaire was administered at weeks 0, 20, 52, and 104, indicate use of the GLP-1 RA was associated with significant reductions in body weight and significantly improved scores for craving control, hunger and fullness, and difficulty resisting cravings in the trial.

Diabetes Dialogue Makes HCPLive Debut

In 2022, Endocrinology Network introduced the world to Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives. A monthly podcast dedicated to providing clinically applicable insights into leveraging new technology and therapeutics to advance care, Diabetes Dialogue released more than 20 episodes and the community spent more than 185 hours watching along as our hosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, offered their insight to the audience. With the integration of Endocrinology Network, HCPLive Endocrinology became the new home of Diabetes Dialogue.

To celebrate their new home, Diabetes Dialogue kicked off the new year by publishing 4 episodes in the month of January. Below, we provide a brief preview of each episode.

Diabetes Dialogue: The Prospect Of A Bionic Pancreas, With Steven Russell, MD, PhD

In this episode of Diabetes Dialogue, our are hosts joined by Steven Russell, MD, PhD, the chief medical officer of Beta Bionics, for a discussion around his journey to becoming CMO as well as a deep dive into the iLet Bionic Pancreas and its potential in diabetes management.

Diabetes Dialogue: ADCES DTC 22, With Jennifer Okemah, RD, And Gary Scheiner, MS

In their final episode from the ADCES 2nd Annual Diabetes Technology Conference, our hosts are joined by Gary Scheiner, MS, and Jennifer Okemah, RD, to discuss their businesses, a glimpse into their personal journeys into becoming diabetes care and education specialists, and how they have seen their role in improving care transform in recent years.

Diabetes Dialogue: January 2023

In the January 2023 episode of Diabetes Dialogue, our hosts offer their perspective on the American Academy of Pediatric’s obesity guidance, the results of Nature Medicine study examining AID in type 2 diabetes study, and new data calling into question the appropriate target for time in range for people with types 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Dialogue: FDA Clearance Of Tidepool Loop

Hosts discuss the clearance of Tidepool Loop, what is unique about the app’s customizability and compatibility with other diabetes technologies, and other top points for people with diabetes and members of the diabetes care team to consider with the technology moving into the future.