U.S. seeks more warnings for Amylin diabetes drug - Bye...

U.S. seeks more warnings for Amylin diabetes drug

U.S. seeks more warnings for Amylin diabetes drug
Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:41pm EDT
Reuters.com

By Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. health regulators warned of more cases of dangerous pancreas inflammation in patients taking Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc's diabetes drug, Byetta, pounding company shares on fears of lower sales and doubts about a new version of the medicine.

The Food and Drug Administration said on Monday it received six reports of hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis requiring hospitalization, including two deaths. The four others were recovering at the time of the reports.

The FDA said it was working "to add stronger, more prominent warnings in the product label" with Amylin, which co-markets the drug -- one of the most promising new diabetes medicines in recent years -- with Eli Lilly and Co.

Amylin's shares closed down 13 percent at $29.76 on the Nasdaq, while Eli Lilly's shares were down 1.5 percent at $48.05 on the New York Stock Exchange.

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