Glufast, originally created and developed by Kissei, co-marketed in tandem with Takeda in Japan since May 2004, is a diabetic medicine that promotes insulin secretion by stimulating the pancreatic beta cells. It demonstrates effects promptly after dosing, thereby it brings insulin secretion closer to its natural patterns and improves postprandial hyperglycemia.
Pioglitazone HCl, which is an insulin sensitizer discovered and marketed by Takeda, is available in Japan under the tradename Actos. Actos suppresses the production of the glucose in the liver while improving the sensitivity to insulin in the peripheral tissues.
With this additional indication of combination therapy of Glufast/Actos, it becomes feasible to pursue better control of plasma glucose, providing further treatment options for patients with type 2 diabetes and physicians who treat them, said Takeda.
Kissei Pharmaceutical is into research & development, manufacture and sales of pharmaceutical products.
Takeda is a research-based global pharmaceutical company whose in-house drugs are marketed in around 90 countries worldwide.