A Study to Test How Well Empagliflozin Works in Chinese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Who Already Take Insulin

A Phase III, Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel Group Study of Empagliflozin (10 mg and 25 mg) Administered Orally Once Daily in Combination With Insulin With or Without up to Two Oral Anti-diabetic Agents for 24 Weeks in Chinese Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Insufficient Glycemic Control.

This is a study in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes. The study is open to people who take insulin but still have too high blood sugar levels. Participants may additionally be taking up to 2 other medicines for their diabetes. The purpose of this study is to find out whether empagliflozin taken together with insulin helps people with type 2 diabetes to better control their blood sugar.

The participants are in the study for about 7 months. During this time, they visit the study site about 8 times, 1 additional visit may be either a visit to the study site or a phone call. At the start of the study, participants are put into 3 groups by chance. Participants get either 10 mg empagliflozin tablets, or 25 mg empagliflozin tablets, or placebo tablets once a day. Placebo tablets look like empagliflozin tablets but do not contain any medicine.

The doctors regularly take blood samples from the participants. The changes in blood sugar levels are compared between the groups. The doctors also check the general health of the participants.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥18 years and ≤75 years old at Visit 1;

• Chinese patient with diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes prior to Visit 1;

• A stable treatment with premixed Insulin (≥ 20IU/day) or basal insulin (≥ 16 IU/day) for at least 12 weeks prior to enrolment with or without up to two OADs

  • With maximum insulin dose of ≤ 1 unit/kg/day. Acceptable basal insulins should have duration of action up to 24 h such as insulin Degludec, insulin glargin, insulin detemir or NPH (neutral protamine hagedorn) insulin; Acceptable pre-mixed insulins could be once or twice daily posology only. The total insulin dose should not be changed by more than 20% of the baseline value within the 12 weeks prior to randomisation (Visit 3). Both human insulin & insulin analogue are acceptable;
  • If the patient is taking OADs, regimen has to be unchanged for at least 12 weeks prior to randomization (Visit 3);
  • If the patient is taking metformin, stable dose (at least 1500 mg daily or maximum tolerated dose) must be maintained for at least 12 weeks without dose adjustments prior to randomization (Visit 3);

• HbA1c ≥7.5% and ≤11.0% at Visit 1;

• Fasting C-peptide: >0.5 ng/mL (>166pmol/L) at Visit 1；

• 18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ≤ 45 kg/m2 at Visit 1;

• Signed and dated written informed consent in accordance with ICH-GCP and local legislation prior to admission to the trial;

• Male or female patients. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must be ready and able to use highly effective methods of birth control per ICH M3 (R2) that result in a low failure rate of less than 1% per year when used consistently and correctly. A list of contraception methods meeting these criteria is provided in the patient information.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes;
• Patients receiving MDI insulin or insulin pump treatment;
• eGFR <45ml/min/1.73m2 calculated based on MDRD formula;
• Uncontrolled hyperglycemia [glucose level >13. 9 mmol/l after an overnight fast during placebo run-in];
• Severe hypoglycemia episode (event requiring the assistance of another person to actively administer carbohydrate, glucagon or other resuscitative actions) within 6 months prior to Visit 1;
• History of diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma. Myocardial infarction, stroke or transient ischaemic attack within 3 months prior to Visit 1;
• Bariatric surgery;
• Further criteria apply