New FDA-approved drug treats cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes

Jardiance, a medication designed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week, making it the first type 2 diabetes treatment of its kind.

The FDA approval comes after the release of a trial that provided evidence that Jardiance reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. The oral tablets, made by Germany-based Boehringer Ingelheim, are only designed to treat type 2 diabetes. They will not work for patients with type 1 or with diabetic ketoacidosis, according to a statement from the company.

Jardiance was initially approved in 2014 as a supplement to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control or blood glucose levels.

“As the only diabetes treatment approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, Jardiance represents a tremendous step forward in our efforts to reduce the impact of heart disease among adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” said Georg van Husen, MD, corporate senior vice president and head of the Therapeutic Area CardioMetabolism at Boehringer Ingelheim, in a statement. “This approval is another example of our commitment to the discovery and development of treatment options for adults with type 2 diabetes. We believe that Jardiance is an important treatment option for this patient population.”