Germany-based Boehringer Ingelheim and United States-based Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) have signed an academic research collaboration with the Duke Clinical Research Institute for a new trial, EMPACT-MI (EMPAgliflozin for the prevention of Chronic heart failure and morTality after an acute Myocardial Infarction), it was reported on Tuesday.

The partnership is to investigate if Jardiance (empagliflozin), a prescription medicine used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, can improve results and prevent heart failure in adults with and without diabetes who have had an acute myocardial infarction. The randomised clinical trial will be conducted, analysed and reported in collaboration with the Duke Clinical Research Institute, with Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly offering funding.

EMPACT-MI is to include around 3,300 adults across around 16 countries who have had an acute myocardial infarction, or heart attack. The primary endpoint of the trial is to evaluate the effect of Jardiance on all-cause mortality and hospitalisation for heart failure. The trial will be part of the EMPOWER program, which is intended to reinforce the long-term commitment of Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and company to improve outcomes for people living with cardiovascular and renal disease.

Adrian Hernandez, MD, MHS., co-chair of the EMPACT-MI trial and DCRI executive director, said, 'This collaboration represents an important step in understanding how to safeguard and protect the lives of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death in cardiology, and this is the first trial in the SGLT2 inhibitor class to investigate the potential to increase survival and decrease progression to heart failure in people who have had a recent myocardial infarction.'