Purpose of review: Over the last few years, a variety of new antidiabetic drugs have been approved for clinical use and novel agents are currently under development. All of these are facing new regulations created by the demand to not only lower HbA1c but also provide long-term clinical benefit and cardiovascular safety.
Recent findings: The present review will discuss the following novel therapeutic options: GLP-1 mimetics and DPP-4 inhibitors are new antidiabetic drugs which favourably affect glucose metabolism without a significant risk for hypoglycaemic events and preliminary clinical data suggesting potential beneficial effects with respect to cardiovascular risk reduction. In addition, new antidiabetic concepts include SGLT2 inhibition, dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists and G-protein receptor agonists, all of which provide beneficial cardiometabolic characteristics.
Summary: The development of novel antidiabetic strategies currently does not only focus on potent glucose-lowering properties but also on safety aspects and potential cardiovascular benefits.