Trelagliptin: First Global Approval

Trelagliptin (Zafatek (R)) is an orally active dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitor developed by Takeda and approved in Japan for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Unlike other approved agents of its class, which are usually administered once daily, trelagliptin can be administered once weekly. Phase II development of trelagliptin was discontinued in the USA and EU, as Takeda considered that the costs associated with obtaining approval in these markets were prohibitive. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of trelagliptin leading to this first approval for T2DM.