Efficacy and Safety of Nasal Glucagon for Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Adults

Efficacy and Safety of Nasal Glucagon for Treatment of Insulin Induced Hypoglycemia in Adults With Diabetes

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and safety of 3 milligrams (mg) glucagon (glucagon nasal powder) administered nasally compared with commercially available glucagon given by intramuscular injection.

Each glucagon dosing visit was conducted after an overnight fast of at least 8 h with a starting plasma glucose >= 90 mg/dL. Hypoglycemia was induced by an intravenous (IV) infusion of regular insulin diluted in normal saline during the clinic visit. Five minutes after stopping the insulin infusion (once the plasma glucose was <60 mg/dL), participants were treated with either a 3 mg glucagon dose nasally or 1 mg of glucagon administered by intramuscular (IM) injection.

After a wash-out period of 7 days or more, participants returned to the clinic and the procedure repeated with each participant crossed over to the other treatment. As such, each participant underwent two episodes of insulin-induced hypoglycemia in random order and received glucagon nasal powder during one episode and commercially available glucagon (GlucaGen, Novo Nordisk) by IM injection during the other episode.

Inclusion Criteria:

To be eligible, the following inclusion criteria must be met:

• Clinical diagnosis of either type 1 diabetes receiving daily insulin since the time of diagnosis for at least 2 years or type 2 diabetes receiving multiple daily insulin doses for at least 2 years

• At least 18.0 years of age and less than 65.0 years

• Body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 20.0 and below or equal to 35.0 kilograms per meter squared (kg/m²)

• Weighs at least 50 kg (110 pounds)

• Females must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Of childbearing potential but agree to use an accepted contraceptive regimen as described in the study procedure manual throughout the entire duration of the study (from the screening until study completion)
  • Of non-childbearing potential, defined as a female who has had a hysterectomy or tubal ligation, is clinically considered infertile or is in a menopausal state (at least 1 year without menses)

• In good general health with no conditions that could influence the outcome of the trial, and in the judgment of the Investigator is a good candidate for the study based on review of available medical history, physical examination and clinical laboratory evaluations

• Willingness to adhere to the study requirements

Exclusion Criteria:

An individual is not eligible if any of the following exclusion criteria are present:

• Females who are pregnant according to a positive urine pregnancy test, actively attempting to get pregnant, or are lactating
• History of hypersensitivity to glucagon or any related products or severe hypersensitivity reactions (such as angioedema) to any drugs
• Presence of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver or kidney disease, or any other conditions which in the judgment of the investigator could interfere with the absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion of drugs or could potentiate or predispose to undesired effects
• History of pheochromocytoma (i.e. adrenal gland tumor) or insulinoma.
• History of an episode of severe hypoglycemia (as defined by an episode that required third party assistance for treatment) in the 1 month prior to enrolling in the study
• Use of daily systemic beta-blocker, indomethacin, warfarin or anticholinergic drugs
• History of epilepsy or seizure disorder
• Regularly consumes 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day
• Use of an Investigational Product in another clinical trial within the past 30 days
• Donated 225 milliliters (mL) or more of blood in the previous 8 weeks before the first glucagon dosing