A twice-daily version of the popular Byetta diabetes treatment showed more efficiency for controlling blood sugar level in tests than the approved version of the drug. The new version involves only one injection per week in place of two shots a day.

61 people participated in the study, which was presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Rome. After being given each drug for a period of two weeks, patients’ blood sugar levels after every meal were measured.

Researchers found that participants taking diabetes drug Byetta, lauched by Eli Lilly & Company, had lower blood-sugar levels and eat less food than when they took Januvia, both used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Starting May 2005, when Byetta received approval from The Food and Drug Administration, this diabetes treatment had gained popularity and almost outperformed insulin. The company recorded an important boost in their medicine sales: an astonishing $177 million on a national scale in the second quarter of 2008.

According to Ralph DeFronzo, an investigator in the inquiry and head of the diabetes division at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, “there has been some confusion in the marketplace about the therapeutic differences between Byetta and Januvia. Data from this first head-to-head study showed a clear difference in the method of actions and the short-term effects of the drugs,” he stated.

Byetta is administered twice daily by way of injection, whereas Januvia is a once-daily pill, Reuters reported. Some already consider the treatment a breakthrough. However, additional trials are expected.