As Diabetes Grows, So Does Market For Treatments; Drug Makers Eye Big Returns; Around 45 compounds are in human clinical trials, with most targeting type 2.(HEALTH & MEDICINE)

Publication: Investor's Business Daily

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Byline: GLORIA LAU

There is no shortage of diabetes patients in the U.S.

Over 13 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease, and an additional 5 million don't know they have it. Around 1.3 million people are diagnosed each year.

There's no shortage of treatments, either, though none can rid patients of diabetes entirely.

"Diabetes cannot be cured at this time, but it absolutely can be managed," said Dr. Nathaniel Clark, an endocrinologist who serves as national vice president of clinical affairs for the American Diabetes Association.

In addition to insulin injections, popular drugs on the market are Pfizer's Glucotrol, Aventis' Amaryl and Novo Nordisk's Prandin. This drug class causes the body to make more insulin.

Another class, including Bristol-Myers Squibb's Glucophage, causes...

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