PARIS, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Sanofi announced today, at the 71st Scientific American Diabetes Association Sessions 2011, the results of three studies showing that people with diabetes using Sanofi insulins Lantus(R) and/or Apidra(R) with the insulin delivery device SoloSTAR(R) experienced greater treatment satisfaction, better quality of life and lower fear of hypoglycemia vs those using a premixed insulin product.

The goal of the first study[1], involving 586 patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes on oral agents, was to evaluate any changes in physical and psychological well-being, diabetes-related symptoms, and patient satisfaction with diabetes-related care and treatment over the study period and from baseline to endpoint.

It showed that, compared with those on twice-daily premixed 70/30 insulin aspart (premix), patients on the combination of Lantus(R)- and Apidra(R)-based regimens experienced better quality of life as measured by the Diabetes Quality of Life (DQoL) questionnaire, which evaluates personal perception of improvements as a result of treatment:

- DQoL improved significantly for all groups at all wks; average improvement was greater for basal Lantus(R) (insulin glargine) + 1 prandial Apidra(R) (insulin glulisine) dose (GLARG+1) and stepwise addition of prandial glulisine (GLARG+0-3) vs premix (P=0.0002) - Compared to the glargine group, patients on premix also showed significantly greater hypoglycemic fear from week 12 to study end (P<0.05).

The goal of the second study[2], conducted with 220 type 1 and type 2 patients from 32 sites in Canada, was to evaluate the change in diabetes treatment satisfaction in people treated with insulin glargine. It showed that 96% of patients experienced significant treatment satisfaction upon switching to Lantus(R) SoloSTAR(R) from their previous treatment: Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire at 6 months = 12.0 (SD = 5.4), compared to overall satisfaction at baseline.

The objective of the third study, LANSOLEAP[3], involving 143 adults with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes in Mexico, was to evaluate satisfaction with the SoloSTAR(R) insulin pen by adult patients. It showed that:

- 83% rated SoloSTAR(R) as excellent - 78% found SoloSTAR(R) easier to use overall, compared with their previous device - 87% preferred SoloSTAR(R) to their previous device - Of those who had never used a pen device, 83% felt confident about using SoloSTAR(R) on the same day they received the pen.

Patient satisfaction is key to improving compliance, and therefore treatment outcomes. As a patient-centric company focused on the needs of people with diabetes Sanofi is committed to improving treatment satisfaction and quality of life.

Notes to editors