Sedentary lifestyle and faulty food habits has led to a swift increase in number of diabetics around the world. According to government statistics, around
24 million people in the United States have diabetes.

Experts in U. S. advisory panel believe that AstraZeneca Plc's made by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co has caliber of becoming promising treatment for diabetes however more data is needed for FDA approval. This new drug belongs to a class of drugs known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. This drug is aimed at enhancing the body's ability to lower elevated blood sugar levels.

Food and Drug Administration's panel of outside experts said more data would be needed after approval to weigh any possible long-term risks, especially in older patients and others more likely to have heart problems.

Panelist Marvin Konstam, a cardiologist at Tufts University School of Medicine said: "This might wind up being a great drug, but we don't know that yet."

He added, "I think this agent has promise to differentiate itself."

Bristol Vice President Robert Wolf said: "There's substantial unmet need for new treatments for type 2 diabetes."