EU approves Eli Lilly-Boehringer diabetes drug

NEW YORK (AP) -- Drugmakers Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim said Friday European Union regulators approved their type 2 diabetes drug Jardiance.

Jardiance was approved in two doses. The drug, also called empagliflozin, is a tablet intended to be taken once a day. It is for patients who are trying to control their blood sugar with diet and exercise but who need additional help. The drug is designed to reduce a patient's blood sugar levels by blocking glucose reabsorption in the kidneys and removing excess glucose through urine. Unlike other diabetes treatments, it does not depend on a patient's insulin levels to be effective.

Empagliflozin has not been approved in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration didn't approve the drug in March, and Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim said the agency was concerned about a facility where the drug will be made.

Boehringer Ingelheim is part of the Germany-based pharmaceutical company.

Shares of Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. fell 6 cents to $59.67 in morning trading.