Efficacy and safety of fixed-dose comBination therApy with gemigLiptin (50 mg) and rosuvAstatiN (20 mg) Compared with Each monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia (BALANCE): A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, controlled, phase 3 trial.

Aim To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of gemigliptin and rosuvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Research Design and Methods A total of 33 hospitals in Korea participated in this randomized, double-blind trial of diabetic patients with dyslipidaemia. A total of 290 participants were randomly assigned at a 1:1:1 ratio to receive an FDC of gemigliptin (50 mg) and rosuvastatin (20 mg) (GEMI/ROSU FDC group), gemigliptin (50 mg) (GEMI group) or rosuvastatin (20 mg) (ROSU group). Rosuvastatin was up-titrated from 5 to 20 mg/d throughout the study period. Primary efficacy measures were changes in HbA1c and LDL-C from baseline to Week 24 between the GEMI/ROSU FDC and ROSU groups and between the GEMI/ROSU FDC and GEMI groups, respectively. Secondary efficacy measures were changes in HbA1c and LDL-C between the GEMI/ROSU FDC and GEMI groups and between the GEMI/ROSU FDC and ROSU groups, respectively. Results After 24 weeks of treatment, a significant reduction in HbA1c from baseline was noted in the GEMI/ROSU FDC group (-0.81% of LS mean; P < 0.0001 vs ROSU group), in addition to a significant reduction in LDL-C concentration (-51.9% of LS mean percentage changes, P < 0.0001 vs GEMI group). HbA1c was significantly reduced from baseline in both the GEMI/ROSU FDC and GEMI groups, but the reduction in HbA1c was significantly greater in the GEMI group than in the GEMI/ROSU FDC group, despite receiving the same dose of gemigliptin. The decrease in LDL-C over time was similar between the GEMI/ROSU FDC and ROSU groups. There were no significant differences in adverse events among the groups. Conclusion The FDC of gemigliptin and rosuvastatin is safe and is effective in reducing both blood glucose and LDL-C levels; thus, it could be a good therapeutic choice for type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidaemia.