Cofrogliptin once every 2 weeks as add‐on therapy to metformin versus daily linagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes in China: A randomized, double‐blind, non‐inferiority trial

Aim We evaluated the efficacy and safety of cofrogliptin, a novel dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor taken once every 2 weeks (Q2W), compared with linagliptin (taken daily) in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin in China. Materials and Methods In this phase 3 randomized, double‐blind, active‐controlled, multicentre study, patients were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to receive cofrogliptin 10 mg Q2W, cofrogliptin 25 mg Q2W, or linagliptin 5 mg daily, all as an add‐on treatment to metformin, for 24 weeks. Eligible patients could enter an open‐label extension period and receive cofrogliptin 25 mg Q2W for an additional 28 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin from baseline to 24 weeks, with a non‐inferiority margin of 0.4% for cofrogliptin versus linagliptin treatment. Results Overall, 465 patients entered the 24‐week treatment period (median age: 57.0 years). The least‐squares mean (standard error) change in glycated haemoglobin from baseline to week 24 was −0.96 (0.063), −0.99 (0.064) and −1.07 (0.065) for the cofrogliptin 10 mg, cofrogliptin 25 mg and linagliptin 5 mg groups, respectively. The between‐group difference met the predefined margin for non‐inferiority of cofrogliptin (10 and 25 mg) versus linagliptin treatment. The incidence of common adverse events (≥5% patients) during the 24‐week treatment period was similar between treatment groups. There were no serious hypoglycaemic events. Conclusion In Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin, the glucose‐lowering effect of cofrogliptin (Q2W) was non‐inferior to linagliptin (daily), with a similar safety profile maintained over 52 weeks of treatment.