A new once-weekly method for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes could replace the more common twice-daily injection, a new study has suggested.

Published in the Lancet journal and carried out by staff at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, USA, the study notes there is currently no available therapy for patients with the condition which can be received once per week.

The researchers state the treatment - called Exenatide - mimics the action of glucagon-like peptide 1 and the study compared outcomes for patients self-injecting the drug once per week against the traditional 14 injections per week.

In a study involving 300 patients which lasted six months, it was found that 75 per cent of participants who received Exenatide experienced fewer side effects, had no increased risk of hypoglycaemia and were able to control their diabetes - as defined by reaching target glucose levels.

"This is an excellent example of moving discovery through to therapeutic application," comments Dr Jim Woodgett, director of research at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute.

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