Clinical trial NCT02738879
Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
Start date: 2016-05-09; Completion date: 2018-01-30
Enrollment: 746 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
This is a trial of continuing sitagliptin versus withdrawing sitagliptin in participants with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and inadequate glycemic control who initiate and titrate insulin glargine (LANTUS®) based on a treat-to-target algorithm to achieve fasting glucose levels of 72-100 mg/dL (4-5.6 mmol/L). A primary hypothesis of this trial is that after 30 weeks, continuing sitagliptin results in a greater reduction of hemoglobin A1C (A1C) relative to withdrawing sitagliptin.

Detailed description:

Arms: arm 1: Sitagliptin 100 mg, oral, once daily for 30 weeks arm 2: Placebo to sitagliptin, 100 mg, oral, once daily for 30 weeks
Interventions: intervention 1: Sitagliptin intervention 2: Placebo to sitagliptin intervention 3: Metformin intervention 4: Metformin XR intervention 5: Insulin glargine
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Sitagliptin 100 mg, oral, once daily for 30 weeks intervention 2: Placebo to sitagliptin, 100 mg, oral, once daily for 30 weeks intervention 3: At least 1500 mg/day, oral, twice daily for participants entering the study on immediate-release metformin + sitagliptin or a fixed dose combination (FDC). intervention 4: At least 1500 mg/day, oral, once daily for participants entering the study on extended-release metformin + sitagliptin or a FDC. intervention 5: Insulin glargine (LANTUS®) initiated at 10 units and titrated based on a treat-to-target algorithm to achieve fasting glucose levels of 72-100 mg/dL (4-5.6 mmol/L); administered once daily subcutaneously.

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
Official Protocol Title: 
NCT number: 
NCT02738879 
Document Date: 
14-Jul-2016
A Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-
Controlled Clinical Trial to Study the Efficacy and Safety of the 
Continuation of Sitagliptin Compared with the Withdrawal of 
Sitagliptin During Initiation and Titration of Insulin Glargine 
(LANTUS®) in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus


Product:  MK-0431 
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Protocol/Amendment No.: 845-02 
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14-Jul-2016
Confidential
THIS PROTOCOL AMENDMENT AND ALL OF THE INFORMATION RELATING 
TO IT ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY PROPERTY OF MERCK 
SHARP & DOHME CORP., A SUBSIDIARY OF MERCK & CO., INC., 
WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJ, U.S.A.
SPONSOR:
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. 
(hereafter referred to as the Sponsor or Merck)
One Merck Drive
P.O. Box 100
Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, 08889-0100, U.S.A.
Protocol-specific Sponsor Contact information can be found in the Investigator Trial File 
Binder (or equivalent).
TITLE:
A Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to 
Study the Efficacy and Safety of the Continuation of Sitagliptin Compared with the 
Withdrawal of Sitagliptin During Initiation and Titration of Insulin Glargine (LANTUS®) in 
Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
IND NUMBER:  65,495
EudraCT NUMBER:  2015-004990-34
 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY OF CHANGES................................................................................................ 10
1.0
TRIAL SUMMARY.................................................................................................. 15
2.0
TRIAL DESIGN........................................................................................................ 15
Trial Design ........................................................................................................... 15
2.1
Trial Diagram........................................................................................................ 21
2.2
3.0
OBJECTIVE(S) & HYPOTHESIS(ES).................................................................. 21
Primary Objective(s) & Hypothesis(es) .............................................................. 21
3.1
Secondary Objective(s) & Hypothesis(es)........................................................... 22
3.2
Exploratory Objectives......................................................................................... 23
3.3
4.0
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE.......................................................................... 23
Background ........................................................................................................... 23
4.1
Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Background .................................................... 23
4.1.1
Rationale................................................................................................................ 24
4.2
Rationale for the Trial and Selected Subject Population .................................... 24
4.2.1
Rationale for Dose Selection/Regimen............................................................... 25
4.2.2
Rationale for the Use of Placebo ................................................................. 25
4.2.2.1
Starting Dose for This Trial ......................................................................... 26
4.2.2.2
Maximum Dose/Exposure for This Trial..................................................... 26
4.2.2.3
Rationale for Endpoints ...................................................................................... 26
4.2.3
Key Efficacy Endpoints ............................................................................... 26
4.2.3.1
Key Safety Endpoints .................................................................................. 27
4.2.3.2
Future Biomedical Research........................................................................ 27
4.2.3.3
Benefit/Risk ........................................................................................................... 28
4.3
5.0
METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................... 28
Entry Criteria........................................................................................................ 28
5.1
Diagnosis/Condition for Entry into the Trial ...................................................... 28
5.1.1
Subject Inclusion Criteria.................................................................................... 28
5.1.2
Subject Exclusion Criteria .................................................................................. 30
5.1.3
 
 
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Trial Treatment(s) ................................................................................................ 34
5.2
Dose Selection/Modification .............................................................................. 35
5.2.1
Dose Selection (Preparation) ....................................................................... 35
5.2.1.1
Dose Modification of Sitagliptin/Matching Placebo to Sitagliptin.............. 35
5.2.1.2
Dose Modification (Titration) of Insulin Glargine (LANTUS®)................ 35
5.2.1.3
Dose Modification of Metformin................................................................. 36
5.2.1.4
Timing of Dose Administration .......................................................................... 36
5.2.2
Trial Blinding/Masking....................................................................................... 36
5.2.3
Randomization or Treatment Allocation............................................................ 37
5.3
Stratification.......................................................................................................... 37
5.4
Concomitant Medications/Vaccinations (Allowed & Prohibited).................... 37
5.5
Allowed Medications .......................................................................................... 37
5.5.1
Excluded Medication(s)/Treatment(s) ................................................................ 38
5.5.2
Excluded Medication(s)/Treatment(s) Applicable to Only CGM Subjects:....... 39
5.5.3
Rescue Medications & Supportive Care............................................................. 39
5.6
Diet/Activity/Other Considerations..................................................................... 39
5.7
Diet...................................................................................................................... 39
5.7.1
Alcohol, Caffeine and Tobacco .......................................................................... 39
5.7.2
Activity ............................................................................................................... 40
5.7.3
Subject Withdrawal/Discontinuation Criteria................................................... 40
5.8
Follow-up for Subjects Who Discontinue Blinded Study Drug ......................... 41
5.8.1
Withdrawal of Consent ................................................................................ 41
5.8.1.1
Discontinuation from Blinded Study Therapy............................................. 42
5.8.1.2
Subject Replacement Strategy............................................................................. 42
5.9
Beginning and End of the Trial ........................................................................... 42
5.10
Clinical Criteria for Early Trial Termination ................................................... 42
5.11
6.0
TRIAL FLOW CHART ........................................................................................... 43
7.0
TRIAL PROCEDURES ........................................................................................... 48
Trial Procedures ................................................................................................... 48
7.1
Administrative Procedures.................................................................................. 48
7.1.1
Informed Consent......................................................................................... 48
7.1.1.1
7.1.1.1.1
General Informed Consent.................................................................... 48
 
 
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7.1.1.1.2
Consent and Collection of Specimens for Future Biomedical 
Research................................................................................................ 49
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria ........................................................................ 49
7.1.1.2
Subject Identification Card .......................................................................... 49
7.1.1.3
Medical History ........................................................................................... 49
7.1.1.4
Prior and Concomitant Medications Review ............................................... 49
7.1.1.5
7.1.1.5.1
Prior Medications.................................................................................. 49
7.1.1.5.2
Concomitant Medications..................................................................... 49
Assignment of Screening Number............................................................... 49
7.1.1.6
Assignment of Treatment/Randomization Number ..................................... 50
7.1.1.7
Trial Compliance (Medication/Diet/Activity/Other) ................................... 50
7.1.1.8
7.1.1.8.1
Diet and Exercise Counseling............................................................... 50
7.1.1.8.2
Dispense Hypoglycemia Assessment Log and Instruct on 
Hypoglycemia Symptoms and Management ........................................ 50
7.1.1.8.3
Dispense Glucose Meter and Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose 
(SMBG) Instructions............................................................................. 51
7.1.1.8.4
Medication Compliance Monitoring..................................................... 51
Clinical Procedures/Assessments........................................................................ 52
7.1.2
Vital Signs.................................................................................................... 52
7.1.2.1
Physical Examination................................................................................... 52
7.1.2.2
7.1.2.2.1
Full Physical Examination.................................................................... 52
7.1.2.2.2
Brief Physical Examination .................................................................. 52
Height and Weight ....................................................................................... 52
7.1.2.3
12-Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG).............................................................. 52
7.1.2.4
Patient Telephone Contacts (PTCs)............................................................. 53
7.1.2.5
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) ..................................................... 53
7.1.2.6
Laboratory Procedures/Assessments .................................................................. 53
7.1.3
Laboratory Evaluations (Hematology, Chemistry and Urinalysis).............. 54
7.1.3.1
Future Biomedical Research Sample Collection ......................................... 54
7.1.3.2
Other Procedures................................................................................................. 55
7.1.4
Withdrawal/Discontinuation........................................................................ 55
7.1.4.1
7.1.4.1.1
Withdrawal From Future Biomedical Research ................................... 55
Blinding/Unblinding .................................................................................... 55
7.1.4.2
 
 
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Calibration of Critical Equipment................................................................ 56
7.1.4.3
Visit Requirements.............................................................................................. 56
7.1.5
Assessing and Recording Adverse Events .......................................................... 56
7.2
Definition of an Overdose for This Protocol and Reporting of Overdose to 
7.2.1
the Sponsor.......................................................................................................... 57
Reporting of Pregnancy and Lactation to the Sponsor ....................................... 57
7.2.2
Immediate Reporting of Adverse Events to the Sponsor.................................... 58
7.2.3
Serious Adverse Events ............................................................................... 58
7.2.3.1
Events of Clinical Interest............................................................................ 59
7.2.3.2
Evaluating Adverse Events ................................................................................. 60
7.2.4
Sponsor Responsibility for Reporting Adverse Events ...................................... 63
7.2.5
8.0
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PLAN ........................................................................ 63
Statistical Analysis Plan Summary ..................................................................... 63
8.1
Responsibility for Analyses/In-House Blinding ................................................. 64
8.2
Hypotheses/Estimation ......................................................................................... 65
8.3
Analysis Endpoints ............................................................................................... 65
8.4
Efficacy Endpoints.............................................................................................. 65
8.4.1
Safety Endpoints ................................................................................................. 66
8.4.2
Derivation of Efficacy Endpoints ....................................................................... 66
8.4.3
Analysis Populations............................................................................................. 67
8.5
Efficacy Analysis Populations ............................................................................ 67
8.5.1
Safety Analysis Populations ............................................................................... 67
8.5.2
Statistical Methods................................................................................................ 67
8.6
Statistical Methods for Efficacy Analyses .......................................................... 68
8.6.1
Statistical Methods for Safety Analyses ............................................................. 74
8.6.2
Demographic and Baseline Characteristics ........................................................ 76
8.6.3
Interim Analyses ................................................................................................... 77
8.7
Multiplicity ............................................................................................................ 77
8.8
Sample Size and Power Calculations .................................................................. 78
8.9
Sample Size and Power for Change from Baseline in A1C................................ 78
8.9.1
Subgroup Analyses and Effect of Baseline Factors ........................................... 80
8.10
Compliance (Medication Adherence).................................................................. 81
8.11
 
 
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Extent of Exposure................................................................................................ 82
8.12
9.0
LABELING, PACKAGING, STORAGE AND RETURN OF CLINICAL 
SUPPLIES ................................................................................................................. 82
Investigational Product ........................................................................................ 82
9.1
Packaging and Labeling Information ................................................................. 82
9.2
Clinical Supplies Disclosure................................................................................. 83
9.3
Storage and Handling Requirements.................................................................. 83
9.4
Discard/Destruction/Returns and Reconciliation .............................................. 83
9.5
Standard Policies................................................................................................... 83
9.6
10.0
ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY DETAILS....................................... 84
Confidentiality....................................................................................................... 84
10.1
Confidentiality of Data ....................................................................................... 84
10.1.1
Confidentiality of Subject Records ..................................................................... 84
10.1.2
Confidentiality of Investigator Information........................................................ 84
10.1.3
Confidentiality of IRB/IEC Information............................................................. 85
10.1.4
Compliance with Financial Disclosure Requirements....................................... 85
10.2
Compliance with Law, Audit and Debarment ................................................... 85
10.3
Compliance with Trial Registration and Results Posting Requirements ........ 87
10.4
Quality Management System............................................................................... 87
10.5
Data Management................................................................................................. 87
10.6
Publications ........................................................................................................... 88
10.7
11.0
LIST OF REFERENCES......................................................................................... 89
12.0
APPENDICES........................................................................................................... 92
Merck Code of Conduct for Clinical Trials........................................................ 92
12.1
Collection and Management of Specimens for Future Biomedical 
12.2
Research................................................................................................................. 94
Understanding the Intent, Scope and Public Health Benefits of 
12.3
Exploratory Biomarker Research: A Guide for IRBs/IECs and 
Investigational Site Staff ...................................................................................... 98
Management of Subjects with Elevated Liver Function Tests ....................... 109
12.4
Predefined Limits of Change (PDLC)............................................................... 114
12.5
13.0
SIGNATURES......................................................................................................... 115
 
 
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Sponsor's Representative ................................................................................... 115
13.1
Investigator.......................................................................................................... 115
13.2
 
 
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LIST OF TABLES
    
Table 1  Management of Subjects Prior to Randomization.................................................... 17
Table 2  Laboratory Exclusion Criteria .................................................................................. 32
Table 3  Trial Treatment ......................................................................................................... 34
Table 4  Insulin Glargine (LANTUS®) Titration Based on Fasting Glucose ......................... 35
Table 5  Continuous Glucose Monitoring Schedule............................................................... 53
Table 6  Laboratory Tests ....................................................................................................... 54
Table 7  Evaluating Adverse Events....................................................................................... 61
Table 8  Efficacy Endpoints.................................................................................................... 66
Table 9  Analysis Strategy for Key Efficacy Variables.......................................................... 73
Table 10  Analysis Strategy for Safety Parameters ................................................................ 75
Table 11  Power (%) for A1C (%) Superiority Under Various Assumptions ........................ 79
Table 12  Power for Event Rate of Symptomatic Hypoglycemia with Blood Glucose ≤70 
mg/dL.......................................................................................................................... 80
Table 13  Summary of Power (%) for Endpoints in Primary and Secondary Hypotheses ..... 80
Table 14  Product Descriptions............................................................................................... 82
 
 
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LIST OF FIGURES
          
Figure 1  Study Design ........................................................................................................... 21
Figure 2  Multiplicity Strategy................................................................................................ 78
 
 
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SUMMARY OF CHANGES
PRIMARY REASON(S) FOR THIS AMENDMENT:
Section Number (s)
Section Title(s)
Description of Change (s)
Rationale
5.2;
5.2.2
Trial Treatment;
Timing of Dose Administration
Table 3 Metformin BID dosing 
was removed and the text was 
updated to allow the dose 
frequency to be defined by 
local labels or clinical practice 
guidelines.
Updated to account for the 
differences in dose frequency 
across countries.
5.5.3
6
Excluded 
Medications/Treatments
Applicable 
to 
Only 
CGM 
Subjects;
Study Flow Chart, Footnote O
Added text and footnote to state 
that subjects participating in the 
CGM sub-study cannot use 
acetaminophen 
and/or 
medications 
containing 
acetaminophen for at least 24 
hours prior to sensor insertion 
and while the sensor is being 
used.
Acetaminophen interferes with 
the signal from the CGM 
sensor used in the trial and can
potentially give falsely high 
readings.
 
 
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ADDITIONAL CHANGE(S) FOR THIS AMENDMENT:
Section Number (s)
Section Title (s)
Description of Change (s)
Rationale
2.1
Trial Design
Added text to clarify that the 
interval between Visit 1 and 
either the combined Visit 2/3/4,
or Visit 2, can be no more than 
2 weeks.
Updated 
to 
correct 
a 
typographical error and revise 
allowed timeframe between 
Visit 1 and Visit 2 or combined 
Visit 2/3/4.
2.1 
Trial Design
Table 
1 
 
Clarified 
pre-
randomization procedures
Updated to clarify the pre-
randomization management of 
subjects.
3.1
3.2
Primary 
Objectives 
and 
Hypotheses;
Secondary 
Objectives 
and 
Hypotheses
Changed ≤3.9 mmol/mol to 
≤3.9 mmol/L in four of the 
objectives/hypotheses.
Updated 
to 
correct 
a 
typographical error.
4.1
Background
Added text to clarify that the 
Investigator 
Brochure 
(IB) 
should 
be 
referenced 
for 
additional 
information 
on 
sitagliptin, 
including 
the 
Reference Safety Information 
(RSI).
Updated to clarify the source 
for 
the 
Reference 
Safety 
Information (RSI).
5.1.2
Subject Inclusion Criteria
Criteria #5:
For subjects who qualify for 
the 
combined 
visit, 
the 
Screening Visit A1C value can 
be used to assess eligibility as 
long as the value was measured 
within 2 weeks, as opposed to 
3 weeks, of the combined visit.
Updated 
to 
correct 
a 
typographical error.
 
 
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5.1.3
5.5.1
6
Subject 
Exclusion 
Criteria 
(Table 2);
Allowed Medication;
Study Flow Chart-Footnote V
Defined 
criteria 
for 
when 
subjects 
with 
elevated 
triglyceride (TG) levels, must 
be re-screened after being on a 
lipid-lowering 
regimen, 
as 
opposed to continuing in the 
trial.
Updated to ensure patients are 
on a stable lipid-lowering 
regimen for specified amount 
of time prior to randomization.
5.2
Trial Treatment
Added text to clarify that if on 
metformin, 
another 
DPP-4 
inhibitor and a sulfonylurea, 
eligible 
subjects 
will 
discontinue the sulfonylurea 
and switch their other DPP-4i
to sitagliptin 100 mg at Visit 2.  
Added text to clarify the 
management of subjects at 
Run-in.
5.2.1.2
Dose 
Modification 
of 
Sitagliptin/Matching Placebo to 
Sitagliptin
Added text to state that the 
dose of sitagliptin or matching 
placebo cannot be modified 
throughout 
the 
30-week 
double-blind treatment period.  
If a subject is suspected of 
having 
pancreatitis, 
study 
medications 
should 
be 
interrupted; study medications 
may 
be 
re-initiated 
if 
pancreatitis is not confirmed.
Added to clarify the dose 
cannot be modified and the 
actions required with study 
medication if pancreatitis is 
suspected.
5.2.1.2
Dose Modification (Titration) of 
Insulin Glargine (LANTUS®)
Table 4 Corrected, >140 mg/dL 
is equivalent to >7.8 mmol/L 
not 10 mmol/L.
Updated 
to 
correct 
a 
typographical error.
 
 
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5.5
Concomitant 
Medications/ 
Vaccinations 
(Allowed 
and 
Prohibited)
.Any medications taken by the 
subject within 15 weeks of 
Visit 1/Screening, including 
AHA medications, should be 
recorded on the appropriate 
electronic case report form 
(eCRF).  
Updated to correct the length 
of time, prior to Visit 1, for 
which 
subjects 
must 
documents all medications.
5.5.1
6
Allowed Medications;
Study Flow Chart-Footnote J
Defined 
criteria 
for 
when 
subjects with elevated blood 
pressure, must be re-screened 
after being on a blood pressure-
lowering regimen, as opposed 
to continuing in the trial.
Updated to ensure patients are 
on a stable blood pressure-
lowering regimen for specified 
amount 
of 
time 
prior 
to
randomization.
5.5.2
Excluded
Medication(s)/Treatment(s)
Added the following: Rapid-
and intermediate- acting insulin 
and other basal insulins should 
not be taken during the trial.
To clarify that only LANTUS®
can be taken during this trial.
5.8.1.2
Discontinuation from Blinded 
Study Therapy
Removed 
statement 
that 
subjects 
who 
continue 
to 
participate in the trial off of 
study 
medication
are 
responsible for procurement of 
AHA background therapy.  
The sponsor will not cover the 
cost of non-study medications, 
but will cover the cost of 
metformin and LANTUS®.
6
Study Flow chart
Increased the visit window 
between Visit 4 and Visit 5 to 7 
days.
Updated to Allow sites and 
subjects a little more flexibility
 
 
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7.1.1.8
Trial 
Compliance 
(Medication/Diet/Activity/Other)
Added 
the 
following: 
LANTUS®
will 
be 
administered by the subject in 
the evening and the site will 
call the subject on Day 2 to 
record the dose and timing of 
administration.
To clarify that LANTUS® dose 
administration 
cannot 
be 
witnessed at site on Day 1, but 
that the site will contact the 
subject the next day for follow-
up. 
 
 
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1.0 TRIAL SUMMARY
Abbreviated Title
Randomized Sitagliptin Withdrawal Study
Trial Phase
Phase III
Clinical Indication
Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)
Trial Type
Interventional
Type of control
Placebo 
Route of administration
Oral
Trial Blinding
Double-blind
(Select Groups)
Treatment Groups:
Sitagliptin 100 mg
Sitagliptin-matching Placebo
Number of trial subjects
Approximately 700 subjects will be enrolled.
Estimated duration of trial
The Sponsor estimates that the trial will require approximately 94 
weeks from the time the first subject signs the informed consent until 
the last subject’s last study-related phone call or visit.
Duration of Participation
Each subject will participate in the trial for approximately 34-42
weeks from the time Informed Consent Form (ICF) is signed through 
the final contact, dependent upon the subject’s AHA treatment at 
study entry.
Randomization Ratio
1:1 
2.0 TRIAL DESIGN
Trial Design
2.1
This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial of 
continuing sitagliptin versus withdrawing sitagliptin in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus 
(T2DM) and inadequate glycemic control who initiate and titrate insulin glargine
(LANTUS®) based on a treat-to-target algorithm to achieve fasting glucose levels of 72-100 
mg/dL (4-5.6 mmol/L).  This trial will be conducted in conformance with Good Clinical 
Practices.
The duration of the trial (from Visit 1 to the post-treatment telephone contact) will be 
between approximately 34 and 42 weeks (with up to 9 scheduled clinic visits), depending 
upon the subject’s AHA treatment at screening. This will include the following:

Screening Period: 
o
For subjects eligible for a combined Visit 2/3/4, the interval between Visit 1 
and Visit 2/3/4 should be no more than 2 weeks.
o
For all other subjects, the interval between Visit 1 and Visit 2 should be no 
more than 2 weeks 
 
 
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
Pre-Randomization Period:
o
For subjects who are on metformin + sitagliptin at screening, no pre-
randomization period is required; these patients will be randomized at a 
combined Visit 2/3/4.
o
For subjects taking metformin + a DPP-4 inhibitor other than sitagliptin, ± a 
sulfonylurea at screening, a 4-week pre-randomization period for sitagliptin 
initiation and dose stabilization AND/OR for sulfonylurea wash-off beginning 
at Visit 2 (Visit 2 to Visit 4);
o
For subjects taking metformin + sulfonylurea at screening, an 8-week pre-
randomization period for switching subjects from the sulfonylurea to 
sitagliptin at Visit 2 (Visit 2 to Visit 4); 

Treatment Period: All subjects will have a 30-week double-blind, placebo-controlled 
treatment period (Visit 4 to Visit 9) including telephone contacts at Weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 
10, 15, 21, and 27;

Post-treatment Telephone Contact: All subjects will receive a telephone call 14 days
after the last dose of blinded study drug. 
Management of Subjects Prior to Randomization
Refer to Table 1 below for a summary of pre-randomization requirements and management 
based upon the subject’s background therapy. 
 
 
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Table 1  Management of Subjects Prior to Randomization
Treatment Regimen at 
Screening (Visit 1)
Visit 1 A1C 
Requirement
Visit 2
Procedure
Visit 3 
(Week -1) 
A1C 
Requirement
Visit 4 Procedure
(1 week after Visit 3)
Stable dose of Met IR or 
XR (≥1500 mg/day) and 
sita (100 mg/day) 
administered separately for 
≥12 weeks
7.5% to 11.0%
(58 to 97 
mmol/mol)
Go to combined Visit 2/3/4 
(Screening A1C to assess 
eligibility)
Combined Visit 2/3/4
(occurs ≤ 2 weeks after 
Visit 1): 
Continue Met*
Randomization (start 
DB therapy, i.e., 
continue sita or 
withdraw sita/initiate 
sita placebo)
Initiate Insulin 
Glargine
Stable dose of Met (≥1500 
mg/day) and sita (100 
mg/day) in a FDC for ≥12 
weeks
7.5% to 11.0%
(58 to 97 
mmol/mol)
Go to combined Visit 2/3/4 
(Screening A1C to assess 
eligibility)
Combined Visit 2/3/4
(occurs ≤ 2 weeks after 
Visit 1):: 
Stop FDC
Initiate Met* (IR or 
XR) at same dose as 
in FDC
Randomization (start 
DB therapy, i.e., 
continue sita or 
withdraw sita/initiate 
sita placebo)
Initiate Insulin 
Glargine
Stable dose of Met IR or 
XR (≥1500 mg/day) and 
sita (100 mg/day) 
administered separately + 
SU for ≥12 weeks
7.0% to 10.0%
(53 to 86
mmol/mol)
   
Instruct 
subjects to:
Stop SU
  (SU wash-off)
Continue 
Met* 
Continue sita 
(100 mg/day)
7.5% to 11.0%
(58 to 97 
mmol/mol)
Continue Met*
Randomization (start 
DB therapy, i.e., 
continue sita or 
withdraw sita/initiate 
sita placebo)
Initiate Insulin 
Glargine
Stable dose of Met (≥1500 
mg/day) and sita (100 
mg/day) in a FDC + SU for 
≥12 weeks
7.0% to 10.0%
(53 to 86 
mmol/mol)
Instruct 
subjects to:
Stop SU
  (SU wash-off)
Continue 
Met and sita 
FDC
7.5% to 11.0%
(58 to 97 
mmol/mol)
Stop FDC
Initiate Met* (IR or 
XR) at same dose as 
in FDC
Randomization (start 
DB therapy, i.e., 
continue sita or 
withdraw sita/initiate 
sita placebo)
Initiate Insulin 
Glargine
 
 
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Treatment Regimen at 
Screening (Visit 1)
Visit 1 A1C 
Requirement
Visit 2
Procedure
Visit 3 
(Week -1) 
A1C 
Requirement
Visit 4 Procedure
(1 week after Visit 3)
Stable dose of Met IR or 
XR (≥1500 mg/day) and 
SU in a FDC + sita (100 
mg/day) for ≥12 weeks
7.0% to 10.0%
(53 to 86 
mmol/mol)
Instruct 
subjects to:
Stop FDC
  (SU wash-off)
Initiate Met*
(IR or XR) at 
same dose as 
in FDC
Continue sita 
(100 mg/day)
7.5% to 11.0%
(58 to 97 
mmol/mol)
Continue Met*
Randomization (start 
DB therapy, i.e., 
continue sita or 
withdraw sita/initiate 
sita placebo)
Initiate Insulin 
Glargine
Stable dose of Met IR or 
XR (≥1500 mg/day) and 
DPP-4i other than sita 
administered separately or 
in a FDC for ≥12 weeks
7.5% to 11.0%
(58 to 97 
mmol/mol)
Instruct 
subjects to:
If not on FDC
Continue 
Met* 
Switch to sita 
(100 mg/day)
If on FDC
Stop FDC
Initiate Met*
(IR or XR) at 
same dose as 
in FDC
Switch to sita
(100 mg/day) 
7.5% to 11.0%
(58 to 97 
mmol/mol)
Continue Met*
Randomization (start 
DB therapy, i.e., 
continue sita or 
withdraw sita/initiate 
sita placebo)
Initiate Insulin 
Glargine
Stable dose of Met IR or 
XR (≥1500 mg/day) and 
DPP-4i other than sita 
administered separately or 
in a FDC + SU for ≥12 
weeks
7.0% to 10.0%
(53 to 86 
mmol/mol)
Instruct 
subjects to:
If not on FDC
Stop SU
(SU wash-
off)
Continue 
Met* 
Switch to sita 
(100 mg/day)
If on FDC
Stop SU 
(SU wash-
off)
Stop FDC
Initiate Met* 
(IR or XR) at 
same dose as 
in FDC
Switch to sita
(100 mg/day)
7.5% to 11.0%
(58 to 97 
mmol/mol)
Continue Met*
Randomization (start 
DB therapy, i.e., 
continue sita or 
withdraw sita/initiate 
sita placebo)
Initiate Insulin 
Glargine
 
 
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Treatment Regimen at 
Screening (Visit 1)
Visit 1 A1C 
Requirement
Visit 2
Procedure
Visit 3 
(Week -1) 
A1C 
Requirement
Visit 4 Procedure
(1 week after Visit 3)
Stable dose of Met IR or 
XR (≥1500 mg/day) and 
SU in a FDC + DPP-4i 
other than sita for ≥12 
weeks
7.0% to 10.0%
(53 to 86 
mmol/mol)
Instruct 
subjects to:
Stop FDC
(SU wash-
off)
Initate Met* 
(IR or XR) at 
same dose as 
in FDC 
Switch to sita
(100 mg/day)
7.5% to 11.0%
(58 to 97 
mmol/mol)
Continue Met*
Randomization (start 
DB therapy, i.e., 
continue sita or 
withdraw sita/initiate 
sita placebo)
Initiate Insulin 
Glargine
Stable dose of Met IR or 
XR (≥1500 mg/day) and 
SU administered separately 
or in a FDC for ≥12 weeks
7.5% to 11.0%
(58 to 97 
mmol/mol)
Instruct 
subjects to:
If not on FDC
Continue 
Met*
Stop SU and
initiate sita 
(100 mg/day)
(SU switch)
If on FDC
Stop FDC
(SU wash-
off)
Initiate Met* 
(IR or XR) at 
same dose as 
in FDC
Initiate sita 
(100 mg/day)
(SU switch)
7.5% to 11.0%
(58 to 97 
mmol/mol)
Continue Met*
Randomization (start 
DB therapy, i.e., 
continue sita or 
withdraw sita/initiate 
sita placebo)
Initiate Insulin 
Glargine
Sita: sitagliptin; Met: metformin; IR: Immediate Release; XR: Extended Release; DB: double-blind; SU: Sulfonylurea; 
FDC: Fixed-Dose Combination; DPP-4i: DPP-4 inhibitor
*Continue on same metformin as at enrollment – IR or XR
Acceptable doses of DPP-4is:

Saxagliptin 5 mg od

Linagliptin 5 mg od

Alogliptin 25 mg od

Vildagliptin 50 mg bid
 
 
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Management of Randomized Subjects
At either the combined Visit 2/3/4 (Randomization/Day 1) or Visit 4 (Randomization/Day 1), 
as applicable, subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either sitagliptin 100 mg daily or 
sitagliptin-matching placebo daily and enter the 30-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled 
treatment period. Insulin glargine (LANTUS®) will be initiated at 10 units daily administered 
in the evening and titrated based on a treat-to-target algorithm (see Section 5.2.1.2) to 
achieve fasting glucose levels of 72-100 mg/dL (4.0-5.6 mmol/L). Subjects are to remain on 
their stable dose of metformin (≥1500 mg/day) while receiving blinded study drug during the 
double-blind treatment period.  
Every appropriate effort should be made to support subject study completion on the anti-
hyperglycemic agent (AHA) regimen to which they are randomized. Subjects may 
discontinue blinded study therapy without withdrawing consent.
These subjects should 
complete procedures for the Discontinuation Visit (when they discontinue blinded study 
therapy), and should be requested to return to the study site for all scheduled visits for safety 
and efficacy evaluations.  If they are unwilling to do so, alternative efforts should be made to 
collect safety and efficacy information as summarized in Sections 5.8.1 and 7.1.4.  
Withdrawal of consent will result in discontinuation of all study procedures.  Subjects 
withdrawing consent should be encouraged to complete procedures for the Discontinuation 
Visit followed by a post-treatment telephone call 14 days after the last dose of blinded study 
drug. The purpose of the 14-day post-treatment telephone call is to collect information about 
the subject’s health status (e.g., evaluate if the subject experienced any SAEs).  
Specific procedures to be performed during the trial, as well as their prescribed times and 
associated visit windows, are outlined in the Trial Flow Chart - Section 6.0. Details of each 
procedure are provided in Section 7.0 – Trial Procedures.
 
 
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Trial Diagram
2.2
The trial design is depicted in Figure 1.
Figure 1  Study Design
3.0 OBJECTIVE(S) & HYPOTHESIS(ES)
Primary Objective(s) & Hypothesis(es)
3.1
In subjects with T2DM with inadequate glycemic control on metformin and sitagliptin, who 
initiate and titrate insulin glargine (LANTUS®), to assess the effect of continuing sitagliptin 
relative to withdrawing sitagliptin on:
1) Objective: HbA1c (A1C) after 30 weeks.
Hypothesis A: After 30 weeks, continuing sitagliptin is non-inferior relative to 
withdrawing sitagliptin on the change from baseline in A1C.
Hypothesis B: After 30 weeks, continuing sitagliptin results in a greater reduction of
A1C relative to withdrawing sitagliptin.
 
 
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2) Objective:
the event rate of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood 
glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L) over 30 weeks.  
Hypothesis: Over 30 weeks, continuing sitagliptin results in a lower event rate of 
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 
mmol/L) relative to withdrawing sitagliptin.
3) Objective: general safety and tolerability over 30 weeks.
Secondary Objective(s) & Hypothesis(es)
3.2
In subjects with T2DM with inadequate glycemic control on metformin and sitagliptin, who 
initiate and titrate insulin glargine (LANTUS®), to assess the effect of continuing sitagliptin 
relative to withdrawing sitagliptin on:
1) Objective: the incidence of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood 
glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L) over 30 weeks. 
Hypothesis: Over 30 weeks, continuing sitagliptin results in a lower incidence of 
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 
mmol/L).
2) Objective: the event rate of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood 
glucose <56 mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L) over 30 weeks.
Hypothesis: Over 30 weeks, continuing sitagliptin results in a lower event rate of 
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL (≤3.1 
mmol/L) relative to withdrawing sitagliptin.
3) Objective: the incidence of documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 
mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L) over 30 weeks.
Hypothesis: Over 30 weeks, continuing sitagliptin results in a lower incidence of 
documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L) relative to 
withdrawing sitagliptin.
4) Objective: the incidence of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood 
glucose <56 mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L) over 30 weeks.  
Hypothesis: Over 30 weeks, continuing sitagliptin results in a lower incidence of 
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL (≤3.1 
mmol/L) relative to withdrawing sitagliptin.
5) Objective: the daily dose of insulin after 30 weeks. 
Hypothesis: Over 30 weeks, continuing sitagliptin results in a lower daily dose of 
insulin relative to withdrawing sitagliptin.
6) Objective: the event rate of documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 
mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L) over 30 weeks.
7) Objective: the event rate of documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 
mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L) over 30 weeks.
 
 
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8) Objective: the incidence of documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 
mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L) over 30 weeks.
9) Objective: the proportion of subjects with A1C <7.0% [<53 mmol/mol] after 30 
weeks. 
10) Objective: the proportion of subjects with A1C <7.0% [<53 mmol/mol] after 30 
weeks without any event of documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 
mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L). 
11) Objective: fasting plasma glucose (FPG) after 30 weeks.
Exploratory Objectives
3.3
Objective: To evaluate the utility of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for comparing 
indices of blood glucose variability and hypoglycemia in subjects with T2DM on different 
treatment regimens. 
4.0 BACKGROUND & RATIONALE
Background
4.1
Refer to approved labeling for background information on sitagliptin, metformin, and insulin 
glargine (LANTUS®). In addition, refer to the Investigator Brochure (IB) for additional 
information on sitagliptin, including the Reference Safety Information (RSI).
Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Background
4.1.1
Sitagliptin, a highly selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, improves fasting and 
postprandial glycemic control and measures of β-cell function in patients with T2DM. The 
effects of sitagliptin are mediated primarily through a glucose-dependent increase in insulin 
secretion and decrease in glucagon secretion.
Sitagliptin is effective as monotherapy, as 
initial combination therapy with metformin, and as add-on therapy to other oral AHA agents. 
A step-wise intensification of therapy as glycemic control either worsens or is not achieved is 
adopted for most patients with T2DM as it is a progressive disease [1].
The American 
Diabetes Association’s (ADA) position statement on pharmacological therapy for T2DM 
recommends initiation of insulin (basal insulin alone as the most convenient regimen) as the 
second or third agent for patients who are unable to achieve their individualized A1C target 
after ~3 months of monotherapy or dual therapy [2].  In this paradigm of step-wise escalation 
of therapy, the recommendation is for insulin to be added to ongoing therapy with oral 
agents; however, combined therapy with oral agents and insulin has not been accepted as 
desirable by all experts [3]. Despite the advantages of continuing oral therapy when insulin 
is initiated, practitioners may choose to discontinue one or more of the oral agents the patient 
is on when insulin therapy is initiated. 
 
 
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The main disadvantages of this treatment paradigm are hypoglycemia and weight gain 
associated with insulin.  Despite the fact that insulin is the most efficacious AHA agent 
available, and that large trials have shown that it is feasible to achieve an A1C target of 
≤7.0% using insulin [4, 5, 6, 7], many patients on insulin fail to achieve glycemic goals [8].  
This is likely related to the incidence of hypoglycemia and weight gain; a positive correlation 
has been described between the dose of insulin used and weight gain [9] and hypoglycemia 
[10].
Insulin therapy is typically initiated with basal insulin [2].  Basal insulin is most effective at 
directly controlling fasting plasma glucose; while a lower fasting glucose will result in lower 
post-meal glucose levels, an agent that provides postprandial glucose control such as 
sitagliptin will be likely to act in concert with basal insulin and improve post-meal glucose 
levels and overall glycemic control.  It is also anticipated, as observed in two recent studies, 
MK-0431 P260 and the Sit2Mix trial [12], that the continued use of sitagliptin with basal 
insulin or premixed insulin will reduce the incidence of hypoglycemia, regardless of the 
glycemic control achieved and the dose of insulin required to achieve that degree of glycemic 
control.  
In MK-0431 P260, it was demonstrated that the addition of sitagliptin in subjects who were 
intensely titrating insulin glargine (LANTUS®) based on a fasting glucose-based regimen not 
only resulted in a lower dose of insulin after 24 weeks, but also resulted in a lower incidence 
of hypoglycemia in the face of improved glycemic control (lower A1C and FPG) compared 
to the addition of placebo.  
Rationale
4.2
Rationale for the Trial and Selected Subject Population
4.2.1
Based on the Clinical Practice Guidelines from the ADA, initiation of basal insulin is 
recommended for patients who have inadequate glycemic control on metformin ± DPP-4 
inhibitors [2].  In particular, basal insulin (such as insulin glargine [LANTUS®]) is a common 
next step when patients are not at glycemic goal on metformin and a DPP-4 inhibitor such as 
sitagliptin; such an approach is consistent with the ADA Guidelines.  In previous studies, 
including MK-0431 P260 referenced above, sitagliptin has been added to the treatment 
regimens of subjects on chronic insulin therapy; however, there are limited data on the use of 
sitagliptin at the time insulin therapy is initiated, and the utility of continuing sitagliptin when 
insulin therapy is initiated has not been clearly established.
The Sit2Mix trial [12], a 
randomized 24-week trial, assessed the role of continuing sitagliptin in subjects with 
inadequate glycemic control (A1C 7.0%-10.0%) on metformin (at least 1000 mg/day) and 
sitagliptin (100 mg/day) with or without other oral AHA agents, when initiating premixed 
insulin. Subjects who discontinued sitagliptin when initiating twice-daily premixed insulin 
had inferior glycemic efficacy with a higher rate of hypoglycemia: after 24 weeks, the group 
that continued metformin and biphasic insulin aspart ± other AHAs but discontinued 
sitagliptin had a reduced glycemic response (compared to the group that discontinued 
sitagliptin, the group that continued sitagliptin had a better glycemic response with a 
between–group difference of -0.24% in A1C change from baseline [p=0.01]), a 40% lower 
odds of achieving the A1C goal of <7.0% (p=0.022), and a 48% lower odds of achieving the
A1C goal of <7.0% without hypoglycemia (p=0.002) compared to the group that continued 
 
 
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sitagliptin along with metformin and biphasic insulin aspart ± other AHAs.  However, the 
Sit2Mix was not a double-blinded trial. More recently, in a report from China, patients newly 
diagnosed with T2DM were assigned to receive continuous subcutaneous infusion of insulin 
aspart for 2 weeks, with or without sitagliptin, during which time the dose of insulin (basal 
and bolus) was also adjusted based on glycemic responses. At the end of the study period, 
patients in the sitagliptin group achieved lower glycated albumin levels, with a lower dose of 
insulin (in particular, the change from baseline in the dose of prandial insulin was lower in 
the sitagliptin group [−2.40 ± 3.65units/day compared to the control group 2.87 ± 5.81
units/day, p<0.01]), and with less time spent in hypoglycemia (<3.9 mmol/L/70 mg/dL) [13].
The present trial will assess the effect of continuing sitagliptin versus discontinuing 
sitagliptin (via randomized withdrawal of sitagliptin) when insulin is initiated and titrated in 
subjects with T2DM.  Therefore, subjects with T2DM and inadequate glycemic control (i.e., 
A1C ≥7.5% to ≤11.0%) on pharmacotherapy with metformin (at near or maximally effective 
doses [≥1500 mg/d]) and sitagliptin will be randomized into the trial.  To allow a broader 
subject population to participate, patients on other DPP-4 inhibitors in combination with 
metformin, or on metformin with a DPP-4 inhibitor and a sulfonylurea, or on metformin and 
a sulfonylurea can participate. Such subjects not currently on the dual combination of 
metformin and sitagliptin (as single entities) at Screening will be switched to this dual 
combination during the run-in period, and be eligible to continue in the study if they have 
inadequate glycemic control (A1C ≥7.5% and ≤11%) on this combination (please refer to 
Table 1 for details on how the various groups of subjects will be managed from Visit 1 
through Visit 4).
Since sitagliptin is not approved in pediatric patients, the current study will only recruit 
patients 18 years of age and older.
Rationale for Dose Selection/Regimen
4.2.2
The dose of sitagliptin to be used (100 mg/day) is based upon the registered dose of 
sitagliptin for patients without moderate to severe renal insufficiency.  
Please see Section 4.2.2.2 for the starting dose of insulin glargine (LANTUS®) to be used in 
this trial.
The duration of the double-blind treatment period (30 weeks) has been selected for the 
present study to allow sufficient time for patients to achieve optimal titration of their insulin 
dose.
Rationale for the Use of Placebo
4.2.2.1
Since sitagliptin is to be withdrawn in a random and double-blinded fashion, a matching 
sitagliptin placebo is required to maintain the blind in subjects who are assigned to the 
sitagliptin withdrawal arm.
 
 
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Starting Dose for This Trial
4.2.2.2
Sitagliptin will be initiated at a dose of 100 mg/day and no changes will be made to the dose.  
Insulin glargine (LANTUS®) will be initiated at a dose of 10 units/day to be injected 
subcutaneously once daily in the evening [11, 14].
Maximum Dose/Exposure for This Trial
4.2.2.3
The dose of insulin glargine (LANTUS®) will be titrated based on the treat-to-target 
algorithm presented in Section 5.2.1.2.  The dose of sitagliptin will not be modified during 
the trial.
Rationale for Endpoints
4.2.3
Key Efficacy Endpoints
4.2.3.1
1) Hemoglobin A1c (A1C): A1C is an integrated measure of glycemic control over the 
previous ~3 months. Assessment of glycemic control through the calculation of placebo-
subtracted change from baseline in A1C is standard in trials in subjects with T2DM.
2) Hypoglycemia: A primary objective of the study is to assess the effect of randomized 
withdrawal of sitagliptin on the event rate of hypoglycemia. While typically assessed as a 
safety endpoint, hypoglycemia is being evaluated as an efficacy endpoint in this trial, as the 
“efficacy” being sought is a lower event rate of hypoglycemia.
Incidence of hypoglycemia (defined as number of subjects with ≥1 event divided by number 
of subjects) is typically calculated for assessment of hypoglycemia.  However, the true 
burden of hypoglycemia is not assessed with this endpoint, as subjects with multiple episodes 
are given the same weightage, in the calculation of incidence, as those with a single episode.  
Event rate of hypoglycemia (defined as the total number of events divided by total follow-up 
time) provides a more clinically relevant assessment of hypoglycemic burden to subjects.  
Therefore, this study will assess both event rates and incidence of hypoglycemia as 
endpoints.
The workgroup of the ADA and the Endocrine Society [15] has defined documented 
symptomatic hypoglycemia as an event during which typical symptoms of hypoglycemia are 
accompanied by a measured plasma glucose concentration ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L).
The workgroup has defined asymptomatic hypoglycemia as an event which is not 
accompanied by typical symptoms of hypoglycemia but with a measured plasma glucose 
concentration ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L). 
In this study, the event rate and incidence of hypoglycemia accompanied by a measured (e.g., 
by fingerstick) glucose concentration of ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L) will be assessed as key 
efficacy endpoints.
 
 
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More recently, Muchmore et al [16] have suggested that when using self-monitored blood 
glucose values to define hypoglycemia in clinical trials, a cut-off of <56 mg/dL may be 
relevant to accommodate the currently allowed measurement error of ±15 mg/dL for plasma 
glucose values <75 mg/dL in home glucose monitoring meters. For this reason, the event 
rate and incidence of hypoglycemia accompanied by a measured glucose concentration of 
<56 mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L) will be assessed as another set of key efficacy endpoints.  
3) Insulin dose: Since the continuation of sitagliptin may result in better glycemic efficacy by 
controlling fasting and postprandial glucose, it is possible that a lower dose of insulin is 
required in subjects who continue sitagliptin.  Therefore, determination of the placebo-
adjusted change from baseline in insulin dose will allow the assessment of the effect that 
randomized withdrawal of sitagliptin has on the dose of insulin achieved through intense 
titration of insulin glargine (LANTUS®).
4) Fasting plasma glucose (FPG): Placebo-adjusted changes from baseline in FPG will allow 
the assessment of the effect that randomized withdrawal of sitagliptin has on measures of 
fasting glycemic control.  In addition, assessment of FPG may indicate the extent to which 
insulin glargine (LANTUS®) was titrated, based on a fasting-glucose based regimen.
Key Safety Endpoints
4.2.3.2
Assessment of overall safety: As is standard practice, the overall safety and tolerability of 
continuing sitagliptin when insulin is initiated will be assessed, including the occurrence of 
adverse events of hypoglycemia.
Future Biomedical Research
4.2.3.3
The Sponsor will conduct Future Biomedical Research on specimens collected for future 
biomedical research during this clinical trial.  This research may include genetic analyses 
(DNA), gene expression profiling (RNA), proteomics, metabolomics (serum, plasma) and/or 
the measurement of other analytes.
Such research is for biomarker testing to address emergent questions not described elsewhere 
in the protocol (as part of the main trial) and will only be conducted on specimens from 
appropriately consented subjects. The objective of collecting specimens for Future 
Biomedical Research is to explore and identify biomarkers that inform the scientific 
understanding of diseases and/or their therapeutic treatments. The overarching goal is to use 
such information to develop safer, more effective drugs/vaccines, and/or to ensure that 
subjects receive the correct dose of the correct drug/vaccine at the correct time.  The details 
of this Future Biomedical Research sub-trial are presented in Section 12.2 - Collection and 
Management of Specimens for Future Biomedical Research.  Additional informational 
material for institutional review boards/ethics committees (IRBs/ERCs) and investigational 
site staff is provided in Section 12.3.
 
 
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Benefit/Risk
4.3
Subjects in clinical trials generally cannot expect to receive direct benefit from treatment
during participation.  However, in this study since subjects in both treatment arms will be 
getting standard-care treatment (intensively titrating insulin to achieve a glycemic target of 
fasting glucose of 72-100 mg/dL), it is anticipated that all participants will benefit from 
improved glycemic control.
The risk of hypoglycemia from the titration of insulin will be balanced by the benefits of 
improvements in glycemic control.
Additional details regarding specific benefits and risks for subjects participating in this 
clinical trial may be found in the accompanying Investigators Brochure (IB) and Informed 
Consent documents.
5.0 METHODOLOGY
Entry Criteria
5.1
Diagnosis/Condition for Entry into the Trial
5.1.1
Male and female subjects with T2DM ≥18 years of age will be enrolled in this trial.
Subject Inclusion Criteria
5.1.2
In order to be eligible for participation in this trial, the subject must:
At Visit 1/Screening
1. Have T2DM (based on ADA guidelines [17]) and be ≥18 years of age on the day of 
signing informed consent.
2. Be on one of the following treatment regimens:
a.
stable dose of sitagliptin (100 mg/day) and metformin IR or XR (≥1500 
mg/day) either co-administered or as a FDC for ≥12 weeks with A1C between 
7.5% and 11.0% (≥58 mmol/mol and ≤ 97 mmol/mol), inclusive.
OR
b. stable dose of metformin IR or XR (≥1500 mg/day) and another DPP-4 
inhibitor (at maximum labeled dose, see Table 1), other than sitagliptin, either 
co-administered or as a FDC, for ≥12 weeks with A1C between 7.5% and 
11.0% (≥58 mmol/mol and ≤ 97 mmol/mol), inclusive.
OR
c.
stable dose of sitagliptin (100 mg/day) and metformin IR or XR (≥1500 
mg/day) either co-administered or as a FDC, and a sulfonylurea for ≥12 
weeks OR stable dose of metformin IR or XR (≥1500 mg/day) and a 
sulfonylurea administered as a FDC and sitagliptin (100 mg/day) with A1C 
between 7.0% and 10.0% (≥53 mmol/mol and ≤86 mmol/mol), inclusive.
OR
 
 
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d. stable dose of metformin IR or XR (≥1500 mg/day) and another DPP-4 
inhibitor (at maximum labeled dose, see Table 1), other than sitagliptin, either 
co-administered or as a FDC, and a sulfonylurea for ≥12 weeks OR stable 
dose of metformin IR or XR (≥1500 mg/day) and a sulfonylurea administered 
as a FDC and another DPP-4 inhibitor other than sitagliptin with A1C 
between 7.0% and 10.0% (≥53 mmol/mol and ≤86 mmol/mol), inclusive.
OR
e.
stable dose of metformin IR or XR (≥1500 mg/day) and a sulfonylurea either 
co-administered or as a FDC for ≥12 weeks with A1C between 7.5% and 
11.0% (≥58 mmol/mol and ≤ 97 mmol/mol), inclusive.
3. Understand the study procedures, alternative treatments available, and risks involved 
with the study; be willing and able to comply with study procedures and scheduled 
visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests, and other study procedures; is not planning to 
relocate during the study; and has personally signed and dated the ICF indicating that 
he/she has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the trial and voluntarily agrees to 
participate.  
Note: The subject may also provide consent for Future Biomedical Research.  
However, the subject may participate in the main trial without participating in Future 
Biomedical Research.
4. Meet one of the following categories:
a.
The subject is a male.
b. The subject is a female who is not of reproductive potential, defined as a 
female who either:
i. is postmenopausal (defined as at least 12 months with no menses in 
women >45 years of age); 
ii. has had a hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral 
salpingectomy, or bilateral tubal ligation/occlusion at least 6 weeks 
prior to screening;
iii. has a congenital or acquired condition that prevents childbearing.
c.
The subject is a female who is of reproductive potential and agrees to avoid 
becoming pregnant while receiving study drug and for 14 days after the last 
dose of study drug by complying with one of the following: 
i. practice abstinence† from heterosexual activity 
OR
ii. use (or have her partner use) acceptable contraception during 
heterosexual activity. Acceptable methods of contraception are‡:
o
intrauterine device (IUD)
o
vasectomy of a female subject’s male partner
o
contraceptive rod implanted into the skin
 
 
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o
hormonal contraception including vaginal rings
o
condoms
o
diaphragm with spermicide
o
contraceptive sponge
†Abstinence (relative to heterosexual activity) can be used as the sole method of 
contraception if it is consistently employed as the subject’s preferred and usual lifestyle and 
if considered acceptable by local regulatory agencies and ERCs/IRBs.  Periodic abstinence 
(e.g., calendar, ovulation, sympto-thermal, post-ovulation methods, etc.) and withdrawal are 
not acceptable methods of contraception.
‡If a contraceptive method listed above is restricted by local regulations/guidelines, then it 
does not qualify as an acceptable method of contraception for subjects participating at sites in 
this country/region.
At Visit 3 
5. A1C of 7.5% to 11.0% (≥58 mmol/mol and ≤97 mmol/mol). 
Note: Subjects already on dual combination metformin (IR or XR) and sitagliptin (as 
single entities or FDC) at protocol-specified doses at Visit 1/Screening, should use 
the Screening Visit A1C value to assess eligibility and do not need a repeat A1C, if 
the Screening A1C value was measured within 2 weeks of the combined Visit 2/3/4 
[Randomization/Day 1]).
Subject Exclusion Criteria
5.1.3
The subject must be excluded from participating in the trial if the subject:
At Visit 1/Screening
Glucose Metabolism and Therapy Criteria
1. Has been treated with any AHA other than protocol-specified agents (i.e., other than 
metformin, DPP-4 inhibitor, or sulfonylurea agent) within the prior 12 weeks.
2. Has a history of 2 or more episodes of hypoglycemia resulting in seizure, coma, or 
loss of consciousness, OR subject has had recurrent (≥3 times per week) episodes of 
hypoglycemia over the past 8 weeks.
3. Has a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or ketoacidosis, or has a history of 
latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA), or subject is assessed by the 
investigator as possibly having T1DM or LADA confirmed with a C-peptide <0.7 
ng/mL (<0.23 nmol/L), or has a history of other specific types of diabetes (e.g., 
genetic syndromes, secondary pancreatic diabetes, diabetes due to endocrinopathies, 
drug- or chemical-induced, or post-organ transplant).
Note: Only a subject assessed by the investigator as possibly having T1DM or LADA
should have C-peptide measured at Visit 1/Screening Visit.
4. Is assessed by the investigator to be not appropriate for, or does not agree to target, a 
fasting glucose of 72-100 mg/dL (4.0-5.6 mmol/L).
 
 
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Requirement for Specific Treatments
5. Has a history of intolerance or hypersensitivity to sitagliptin, or insulin, or any 
contraindication to sitagliptin, or insulin, based upon the label of the country of the 
investigational site. 
6. Has undergone a surgical procedure within 12 weeks and is not fully recovered prior 
to signing informed consent or has planned major surgery during the study.
Note: A subject who has undergone minor surgery within the prior 4 weeks and is 
fully recovered or a subject who has planned minor surgery may participate. Minor 
surgery is defined as a surgical procedure involving local anesthesia.
7. Is currently participating, or has participated, in a study in which the subject received 
an investigational compound or used an investigational device within the prior 12 
weeks of signing informed consent or is not willing to refrain from participating in 
another study.
Note:  A subject who has participated in a non-interventional study may be enrolled.
8. Is on a weight loss program and not in the weight-stable phase (including diet and or 
medications for weight loss), or has undergone bariatric surgery within 12 months 
prior to signing the informed consent.
9. Is currently on or likely to require treatment with a prohibited medication (see Section 
5.5.2 for a list of excluded medications).  Example: is on, or likely to require 
treatment with more than 14 consecutive days or repeated courses of pharmacologic 
doses of corticosteroids.   
Note: Oral corticosteroids used for physiologic replacement therapy (i.e., in subjects 
with adrenal insufficiency) and inhaled, nasal, and topical corticosteroids are allowed.
Concomitant Disease of Organs and Systems
10. Has severe peripheral vascular disease (e.g., claudication with minimal activity, a 
non-healing ischemic ulcer, or disease which is likely to require surgery or 
angioplasty), or had new or worsening signs or symptoms of coronary heart disease or 
heart failure within the past 3 months, or has any of the following disorders within the 
past 3 months: 
a.
Acute coronary syndrome (e.g., MI or unstable angina)
b. Coronary artery intervention (e.g., CABG or PTCA)
c.
Stroke or transient ischemic neurological disorder.
11. Has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
a.
with AIDS-related complications, or
b. has not been on a stable antiretroviral regimen for >6 months, or 
c.
has progressive disease, or 
 
 
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d. is using agents associated with glucose intolerance such as nucleoside reverse 
transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) such as azidothymidine (AZT), didanosine 
(ddI) and stavudine (d4T).  
12. Has a history of malignancy ≤5 years prior to signing informed consent (i.e., the 
diagnosis occurred, or any evidence of residual or recurrent disease occurred, within 
the past 5 years), except for adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin 
cancer, or in situ cervical cancer. 
Note: A patient with any history of melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma, or renal cell 
carcinoma is excluded. 
Exclusion Criteria Based on Lab Abnormalities
13. Has an exclusionary laboratory value as listed in Table 2 below.
Table 2  Laboratory Exclusion Criteria
Parameter1
Population
(if 
applicable)
Study Limit for Exclusion
Estimated glomerular filtration rate 
(eGFR)2
<60 mL/min/1.73 m2
Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
>2-times Upper Limit of Normal 
(ULN)
Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
>2-times ULN
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)3
Outside central laboratory normal 
range
Hemoglobin
Male
<11.0 g/dL
Female
<10.0 g/dL
Total Triglycerides (TG)4
>600 mg/dL (6.8 mmol/L)
1 Subjects with an exclusionary laboratory value may have one repeat determination performed if the investigator 
considers the Visit 1/Screening result to be inconsistent with prior determinations.  Only the lab test not meeting entry 
criterion should be repeated (not the entire panel). The last laboratory draw/result should be used for inclusion.
2 Calculated by the central laboratory using the 4-variable MDRD equation.
3 Subject excluded due to TSH criterion may be re-screened after being on a stable thyroid replacement regimen for at 
least 6 weeks.
4 Subjects with elevated TG levels, who would qualify for a combined Visit 2/3/4, may be re-screened after being on a 
stable lipid-lowering regimen for at least 4 weeks.  All other subjects (i.e., subjects who require Visits 2 and 3, prior to 
randomization at Visit 4) with elevated TG levels, may have lipid-lowering medication initiated or adjusted and continue 
in the trial if a repeat measurement (at Visit 3/Week -1) no longer meets the exclusion criterion.  All subjects must be on a 
stable dose of a lipid-lowering medication for at least 4 weeks prior to Visit 4/Randomization (Day 1).
Other Criteria
14. Is pregnant or breast-feeding, has a positive urine pregnancy test, or is expecting to 
conceive or donate eggs during the study, including 14 days following the last dose of 
study drug.
15. Is at the time of signing informed consent, a user of recreational or illicit drugs or has 
had a recent history of drug abuse, or routinely consumes >2 alcoholic drinks per day
or >14 alcoholic drinks per week, or engages in binge drinking.
Note:  One alcoholic drink is defined as 5 oz (150 mL) of wine, or 12 oz (350 mL) of 
beer, or 1.5 oz (50 mL) of 80-proof liquor.
 
 
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Note:  Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of 5 or more alcoholic drinks (male), or 
4 or more alcoholic drinks (female) in about 2 hours.
16. Has a history or current evidence of any condition, therapy, lab abnormality, or other 
circumstance that 
a.
makes participation not in the subject's best interest
b. might interfere with the subject’s participation for the full duration of the 
study
c.
might confound the results of the study.
17. Is or has an immediate family member (e.g., spouse, parent/legal guardian, sibling or 
child) who is investigational site or sponsor staff directly involved with this trial.
At Visit 4/Day 1/Randomization
18. Has a positive urine pregnancy test.
Note: Urine pregnancy test is required to be performed before the subject is 
randomized.
19. Has a clinically significant ECG finding that requires further diagnostic evaluation or 
intervention (e.g., new, clinically significant arrhythmia or a conduction disturbance) 
or which exposes the subject to risk by enrolling in the study. 
20. Has developed a new medical condition, suffered a change in status of an established 
medical condition, developed a laboratory abnormality, or required a new treatment 
or medication during the pre-randomization period which meets any previously 
described study exclusion criteria or which, in the opinion of the investigator, exposes 
the subject to risk by enrolling in the study.
Note: If a subject requires initiation of a new medication at Visit 4/Day 1, the subject 
should be rescheduled for a Visit 4/Day 1 to occur 1 to 2 weeks later.
21. Has a site fasting fingerstick glucose of <130 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L) or >270 mg/dL 
(15.0 mmol/L).
Note: If the subject meets this exclusion criterion AND the investigator believes that 
the value is not consistent with the subject’s current Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose 
(SMBG) values and the Visit 1 or Visit 3/Week -1 FPG value (as applicable), the 
subject should not be excluded at this time. This value can be repeated and the 
subject should be rescheduled for Visit 4/Day 1 within 7 days. If the subject meets 
this FFSG exclusion criterion at the rescheduled Visit 4/Day 1, the subject MUST be 
excluded.
 
 
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Trial Treatment(s)
5.2
Treatments to be used in this trial are outlined below in Table 3.  
Table 3  Trial Treatment
Treatment
Dose/
Potency
Dose 
Frequency
Route of 
Administrati
on
Regimen/
Treatment 
Period
Use
Sitagliptin 
100 mg
QD 
Oral
Visit 1 (or Visit 
2) through Visit 9
Experimental
from V4
Sitagliptin-
matching
Placebo
Not applicable
QD
Oral
Visit 4 through 
Visit 9
Placebo-
comparator
Metformina
At least 1500 
mg/day
As 
applicable,
based 
upon 
the local label 
or 
clinical 
practice 
guidelines
Oral
Visit 1 through 
Visit 9
Background 
therapy
Metformin 
XRb
At least 1500 
mg/day
QD
Oral
Visit 1 through 
Visit 9
Background 
therapy
Insulin 
Glargine
(LANTUS®)
Starting dose: 
10 units.  To 
be 
titrated 
based on treat-
to-target 
regimen
QD
SC
Visit 4 through 
Visit 9
Background 
therapy
a.
For subjects entering the study on immediate-release metformin + sitagliptin or a FDC.
b. For subjects entering the study on extended-release metformin + sitagliptin or a FDC.
The first dose of trial treatment will be administered at the trial site at Visit 4 (i.e., the 
beginning of the double-blind treatment period).  Subsequent dosing will be performed once 
daily by the subject (i.e., unsupervised at his/her home) at approximately the same time each 
day.
Run-in Period
Subjects will enter the Screening period (at Visit 1) on metformin and sitagliptin (with or 
without a sulfonylurea), metformin and another DPP-4 inhibitor (with or without a 
sulfonylurea), or metformin and a sulfonylurea.  If on metformin, sitagliptin and a 
sulfonylurea, eligible subjects will discontinue the sulfonylurea at Visit 2; if on metformin, 
another DPP-4 inhibitor and a sulfonylurea, eligible subjects will discontinue the 
sulfonylurea and switch their other DPP-4i to sitagliptin 100 mg at Visit 2;  if on metformin 
and a sulfonylurea, eligible subjects will discontinue the sulfonylurea and switch to 
sitagliptin 100 mg at Visit 2.  
 
 
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Adherence of subjects to the titration algorithm will be monitored at Patient Telephone 
Contacts (PTCs) and scheduled visits. For subjects who do not follow the insulin titration 
algorithm outlined above, more frequent PTCs will be necessary to make sure that the insulin 
titration algorithm is closely followed by the subject.
For subjects who experience hypoglycemia with FPG or fingerstick glucose values ≤70 
mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), the insulin glargine (LANTUS®) dose should be reduced as described 
in the table, and, if necessary, held.  
Refer to Sections 7.1.1.8.2 and 7.1.1.8.3 for details regarding appropriate subject 
documentation of fingerstick glucose values and hypoglycemia events. 
Dose Modification of Metformin
5.2.1.4
The dose of metformin (≥1500 mg/day) should remain stable throughout the 30-week 
double-blind treatment period.
If a subject undergoes an imaging study requiring the use of radiocontrast dye (e.g., an 
intravenous pyelogram or computerized tomography study with contrast), metformin should 
be interrupted and reinstituted only after renal function has been evaluated and found not to 
have been reduced by the dye study.
Timing of Dose Administration
5.2.2
Subjects will take double-blind study medication (sitagliptin or sitagliptin-matching placebo) 
QD, at approximately the same time every day.  
Subjects will take either open-label metformin or metformin XR, as directed by the study 
doctor, but should remain on a stable regimen (including dose frequency) throughout the 
trial.
Subjects will be trained to administer insulin glargine (LANTUS®) once a day, at the same 
time every evening. As noted in Section 5.2.1.2, dose titration will be determined by the 
treat-to-target algorithm.
Subjects will be instructed not to take open-label metformin and double-blind study 
medication the morning of clinic visits.  On clinic visit days, subjects will take open-label 
metformin and blinded study medication after all study procedures are completed.
If a subject misses a dose of open-label metformin or blinded study medication during the 
trial, he/she should be instructed to take it as soon as they remember, unless it is time for the 
next dose.  Subjects should be instructed not to "make up" for the missed dose by taking two 
doses at the same time. Subjects who miss the dose of insulin glargine (LANTUS®) should 
call the site as soon as possible. 
Trial Blinding/Masking
5.2.3
A double-blind/masking technique will be used.  Sitagliptin and sitagliptin-matching placebo 
will be packaged identically so that blind/masking is maintained.
The subject, the 
investigator and Sponsor personnel or delegate(s) who are involved in the treatment or 
clinical evaluation of the subjects are unaware of the group assignments.
 
 
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See Section 7.1.4.2, Blinding/Unblinding, for a description of the method of unblinding a 
subject during the trial, should such action be warranted.
Randomization or Treatment Allocation
5.3
Treatment allocation/randomization will occur centrally using an interactive voice response 
system / integrated web response system (IVRS/IWRS).
There are 2 treatment arms.  
Subjects will be assigned randomly in a 1:1 ratio to either sitagliptin 100 mg or sitagliptin-
matching placebo.
Stratification
5.4
Treatment allocation/randomization will be stratified according to the following factor:
AHA treatment at screening:

Metformin + sitagliptin/another DPP-4 inhibitor (Met + DPP-4i) 

Metformin + sitagliptin/another DPP-4 inhibitor + sulfonylurea (Met + DPP-4i + SU)

Metformin + sulfonylurea (Met + SU).
Concomitant Medications/Vaccinations (Allowed & Prohibited)
5.5
Any medications taken by the subject within 15 weeks of Visit 1/Screening, including AHA 
medications, should be recorded on the appropriate electronic case report form (eCRF).  The 
site may rely on subject report for this information.  Concomitant medications taken during 
the trial must also be recorded.  
Subjects should be questioned about their use of concomitant medications at the time points 
indicated in the Trial Flow Chart (Section 6.0).  Subjects should be instructed to contact the 
study investigator before initiating any prescription or non-prescription medications during 
study participation.  If medical necessity requires initiation of a medication prior to 
discussion with the study investigator, the subject should communicate with the study 
investigator as soon as possible.    
Allowed Medications
5.5.1
Lipid Medications
Concurrent lipid lowering medications are permitted. Subjects with elevated TG levels, who 
would qualify for a combined Visit 2/3/4, may be re-screened after being on a stable lipid-
lowering regimen for at least 4 weeks.  All other subjects (i.e., subjects who require Visits 2 
and 3, prior to randomization at Visit 4) with elevated TG levels, may have lipid-lowering 
medication initiated or adjusted and continue in the trial if a repeat measurement (at Visit 
3/Week -1) no longer meets the exclusion criterion.  All subjects must be on a stable dose of 
a lipid-lowering medication for at least 4 weeks prior to Visit 4/Randomization (Day 1), refer 
to Section 5.1.3, Table 2.
 
 
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Blood Pressure Medications
Concurrent blood pressure lowering medications are permitted.  Subjects with elevated 
systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure levels, who would qualify for a combined Visit 2/3/4, 
may be re-screened after being on a stable blood pressure-lowering regimen for at least 4 
weeks.  All other subjects (i.e., subjects who require Visits 2 and 3, prior to randomization at 
Visit 4) with elevated BP levels, may have blood pressure medication initiated or adjusted 
and continue in the trial.  Subjects must be on a stable regimen for at least 4 weeks prior to 
Visit 4/Randomization (Day 1).  
It is preferable that doses of these medications remain stable during the double-blind
treatment period.  
Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy
Subjects must be on a stable dose of thyroid replacement medication (e.g., thyroxine) for at 
least 6 weeks prior to Visit 1/Screening Visit.  Subjects who meet the TSH exclusion 
criterion specified in Table 2 may be re-screened after being on a stable thyroid replacement 
regimen for at least 6 weeks.
Hormone Replacement Therapy and Birth Control Medications
Hormone replacement therapy and birth control medications are allowed, but subjects should 
be on stable regimens, and are expected to remain on that stable regimen during the double-
blind treatment period and through 14 days after the last dose of study medication.
Supplements 
The use of herbal supplements and other so-called natural products should be discouraged for 
the duration of the study.  Subjects who do not discontinue the use of such supplements prior 
to Visit 4 should be instructed not to change the use or dose of the supplement for the 
duration of the study.  Subjects should be instructed not to initiate new supplements for the 
duration of the study.
Excluded Medication(s)/Treatment(s)
5.5.2
Medications specifically prohibited in the exclusion criteria are not allowed during the 
ongoing trial.  If there is a clinical indication for any medication specifically prohibited 
during the trial, discontinuation from trial therapy will be required.  The investigator should 
discuss any questions regarding this with the Sponsor Clinical Director.  The final decision 
on any supportive therapy rests with the investigator and/or the subject's primary physician.  
However, the subject cannot continue on trial therapy if a prohibited medication is required.
NOTE: At the time points indicated in the Trial Flow Chart (Section 6.0), investigational 
sites should review the use of any prohibited medications, including AHAs with subjects who 
are on double-blind study medication.  At these time points, subjects should be instructed 
regarding the importance of not taking AHAs other than metformin, insulin glargine 
(LANTUS®), and blinded study medication (sitagliptin/placebo) during study participation.
 
 
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Other AHA Medications
Except for sitagliptin, metformin, and insulin glargine (LANTUS®) that are part of the study 
protocol, no other AHA medication (such as DPP-4 inhibitors [other than sitagliptin], GLP-1 
analogues, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, α-glucosidase inhibitors, PPAR-γ agonists, 
bromocriptine, or colesevelam) may be taken during the study.  Rapid- and intermediate-
acting insulin and other basal insulins should not be taken during the study.
Corticosteroids
The use of ≥2 consecutive weeks or repeated courses of pharmacologic doses of 
corticosteroids is prohibited.
Note: Inhaled, nasal, and topical corticosteroids and oral corticosteroids for replacement 
therapy are permitted.
Anti-Thyroid Medications
Medications to treat hyperthyroidism are prohibited.
Excluded Medication(s)/Treatment(s) Applicable to Only CGM Subjects:
5.5.3
Subjects should not use acetaminophen and/or medications containing acetaminophen for at 
least 24 hours prior to sensor insertion and while the sensor is being used.
Rescue Medications & Supportive Care
5.6
No rescue or supportive medications are specified to be used in this trial.
Diet/Activity/Other Considerations
5.7
Diet
5.7.1
Subjects will be seen by a dietician or qualified healthcare professional for dietary and 
exercise counseling at Visits 2, 3, and 4 or the combined Visit 2/3/4 (as applicable); follow-
up at other visits may be done by other appropriate site personnel evaluating the subject.
The subject will receive counseling on diet consistent with the local guidelines of the country 
of the investigational site.  At each subsequent visit, the subject will be asked about their diet 
and exercise, and counseling should be provided, as appropriate.  Detailed dietary 
information will not be captured.  
Alcohol, Caffeine and Tobacco
5.7.2

Subjects will be counseled to limit alcohol use to moderate amounts (i.e., ≤2 drinks 
per day and no more than 14 drinks per week).  

Ingestion of caffeine will be prohibited for at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled 
ECGs and blood pressure determinations.

Ingestion of nicotine-containing products will be prohibited for at least 30 minutes 
prior to the scheduled ECGs and blood pressure determinations.
 
 
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Activity
5.7.3
Subjects will be counseled to maintain a medically appropriate, routine exercise program and 
a consistent physical activity level during the trial.  Subjects will be counseled not to engage 
in physically strenuous exercise (for example: heavy lifting, weight training, calisthenics, and 
aerobics) within 48 hours before each blood sample collection for clinical laboratory tests for 
the duration of participation in the trial.
Subject Withdrawal/Discontinuation Criteria
5.8
Subjects may withdraw consent at any time for any reason or be dropped from the trial at the 
discretion of the investigator should any untoward effect occur.  In addition, a subject may be 
withdrawn by the investigator or the Sponsor if enrollment into the trial is inappropriate, the 
trial plan is violated, or for administrative and/or other safety reasons.  Specific details 
regarding discontinuation or withdrawal procedures; including specific details regarding 
withdrawal from Future Biomedical Research, are provided in Section 7.1.4 – Other 
Procedures.
A subject must be discontinued from the trial for any of the following reasons:
●
The subject or legal representative (such as a parent or legal guardian) withdraws 
consent.
Note: See Section 5.8.1 for additional details regarding subjects who withdraw 
consent and subjects who do not withdraw consent but discontinue study drug.
A subject must be discontinued from treatment (but may continue to be monitored in the 
trial) for any of the following reasons:
1. Abnormal liver function tests meeting criteria specified below (see Section 12.4 for 
additional details on management and discontinuation of blinded study drug for 
subjects with elevated liver enzymes).

ALT or AST ≥3X ULN with total bilirubin (TBL) ≥2X ULN and alkaline 
phosphatase (ALP) <2X ULN and without an established etiology; or

ALT or AST ≥8X ULN or ≥3X ULN with symptoms consistent with liver 
injury and without an established etiology; or

ALT or AST ≥5X ULN for 2 weeks; or

ALT or AST ≥3X ULN and subject is unwilling or unable to undergo repeat 
ALT and AST testing at the frequency defined in Section 12.4.
2. Reduction of renal function:

eGFR persistently <50 mL/min/1.73m2 (MDRD formula).
Note: A persistent eGFR value is defined as a repeat measurement, performed 
within 2 weeks after notification from the central laboratory, that remains <50 
mL/min/1.73m2, despite correction of potential causative factors (e.g., 
correction of volume depletion, discontinuation of nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]).
 
 
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3. Requirement for one of the prohibited medications listed in Section 5.5.2.
4. Pregnancy.
Note: A positive urine pregnancy test requires immediate interruption of blinded 
study drug, metformin, and insulin glargine (LANTUS®) until serum β-hCG can be 
performed and found to be negative.  Subject must be permanently discontinued from 
blinded study drug, metformin, and insulin glargine (LANTUS®) and pregnancy
should be reported and followed per Section 7.2.2 if pregnancy is confirmed by a 
positive serum pregnancy test. 
5. Any medical condition or personal circumstance which, in the opinion of the 
investigator, exposes the subject to risk by continuing in the trial or does not allow the 
subject to adhere to the requirements of the protocol.
6. The investigator or subject becomes unblinded to the subject’s treatment assignment.
The Sponsor should be notified as soon as possible when a subject is discontinued from 
blinded study drug or blinded study drug is interrupted because of an AE or a laboratory 
safety test abnormality.
A subject may discontinue blinded study drug for any of the reasons listed above but 
continue to participate in the trial, as long as the subject does not withdraw consent.  Follow-
up procedures for subjects who discontinue blinded study drug are described in Section 
5.8.1.1.
Follow-up for Subjects Who Discontinue Blinded Study Drug
5.8.1
Withdrawal of Consent
5.8.1.1
If a subject indicates his or her intention to stop active participation in the trial (i.e., chooses 
to no longer attend visits at the investigational site, take blinded study drug, and have other 
study-related procedures conducted at the investigational site) and withdraws consent, the 
subject should be encouraged to complete procedures for the Discontinuation Visit (when 
they discontinue blinded study therapy and withdraw consent) followed by a post-treatment 
telephone call 14 days after the last dose of blinded study drug. The purpose of the 14-day 
post-treatment telephone call is to collect information about the subject’s health status (e.g., 
evaluate if the subject experienced any SAEs). 
The sponsor may retain and continue to use any data collected before the subject’s 
withdrawal of consent.
 
 
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Discontinuation from Blinded Study Therapy
5.8.1.2
A subject who discontinues treatment with blinded study drug for reasons other than 
withdrawn consent or a subject for whom the investigator recommends discontinuation of
study medication should complete procedures for the Discontinuation Visit followed by a
post-treatment telephone call 14 days after the last dose of blinded study drug. The subject 
should then be requested to return to the study site for all scheduled visits for safety and 
efficacy evaluations.  If the subject is unwilling to return for the scheduled study visits, 
alternative efforts should be made to collect safety and efficacy information; this may include 
participating in telephone contacts according to the study schedule until the end of the trial 
(Week 30).  The purpose of these telephone contacts is to collect information about the 
subject’s health status (e.g., evaluate if the subject experienced any SAEs).  
A subject who continues to participate in the trial off of study medication by providing 
follow-up information (whether attending scheduled visits at the investigational site or 
through follow-up telephone contact visits) can receive medical and diabetes management by 
his/her managing physician or investigator, as appropriate.  This subject may initiate any 
other therapy as needed (previously prohibited medications will not apply to him/her).  
Procurement of other AHAs is the responsibility of the subject.  
If the trial site loses contact with the subject, the site should make at least three attempts for a 
telephone contact.  If the three attempts of telephone contact are unsuccessful, the site should 
make at least one attempt to reach the subject via certified letter.  All attempts to contact a 
subject and information received during contact attempts must be documented in the 
subject’s medical record.  
Subject Replacement Strategy
5.9
A subject who discontinues from the trial will not be replaced.
Beginning and End of the Trial
5.10
The overall trial begins when the first subject signs the informed consent form.  The overall 
trial ends when the last subject completes the last study-related phone-call or visit,
discontinues from the trial or is lost to follow-up (i.e. the subject is unable to be contacted by 
the investigator).
Clinical Criteria for Early Trial Termination
5.11
There are no pre-specified criteria for terminating the trial early.
 
 
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Trial Period:
Screeninga
Pre-
randomizationb
Randomiza-
tion
Double-Blind Treatment
Post-Treatment
Visit Number/Title:
Visit 1
Visit 2
Visit 3
Visit 4
PTC
Visit 5
PTC
Visit 6
PTC
Visit 7
PTC
Visit 8
PTC
Visit 9
D/C
Follow-up
Scheduled Hour, 
Day, Week etc.:
Week 
-1
Week 0
(Day 1)
Weeks 
1, 2, 4
Week 
6
Weeks 
8, 10
Week 
12
Week 
15
Week 
18
Week 
21
Week 
24
Week 
27
Week 
30
At 
time of 
D/Cc
14-Day Post 
Treatment 
TC
Scheduling Window 
Hours, Days etc.:
± 5 
days
+7
days
± 1 
day
± 7 
days
± 1 
day
± 7 
days
± 1 
day
± 7 
days
± 1 
day
± 7 
days
± 1 
day
± 7 
days
+3 days
Fasting C-Peptidet
X
Lipid Panel
X
X
X
Thyroid Stimulating 
Hormone (TSH)
Xu
Fasting Triglycerides
Xv
Urine Pregnancy Test  
(as applicable)w
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Dipstick Urinalysis 
Xx
Plasma and Serum for 
Future Biomedical 
Researchd
X
X
X
Blood (DNA) for 
Future Biomedical 
Researchc
X
a.
Screening procedures may be repeated after consultation with the Sponsor.
b.
The pre-randomization period (Visits 2 and 3) only applies to subjects on another DPP-4 inhibitor and/or a SU at Visit 1/Screening.
c.
A subject who withdraws from the study prematurely should be encouraged to complete procedures for the Discontinuation Visit and allow to be followed by the 
investigator/qualified designee according to Section 5.8.1.
d.
Informed consent for future biomedical research samples must be obtained to collect the DNA, plasma, and serum sample.
e.
Subjects on double-blind treatment should be reminded not to take any other AHA medications other than the trial treatments (background metformin and insulin 
glargine [LANTUS®], and sitagliptin/placebo) during their participation in the study.  They should be counseled that if another physician prescribes such a treatment 
(i.e., any AHA), the subject and/or the prescribing physician should immediately contact the investigational site prior to initiation of such therapy. If medical necessity 
requires initiation of a medication prior to discussion with the study investigator, the subject should communicate with the study investigator as soon as possible.  
Subjects who were washed off of another AHA should be reminded to remain off this agent while participating in the current trial, and to not re-start this agent post-
study unless advised by their diabetes care-giver (whether the investigator or another physician).
f.
Subjects who have switched from another DPP-4 inhibitor to sitagliptin and/or initiated sulfonylurea wash-off at Visit 2 should be on sitagliptin and/or have washed off 
the sulfonylurea for at least 4 weeks prior to Visit 4/Randomization; the interval between Visit 2 and Visit 3 should be at least 3 weeks.  
g.
Subjects who have switched from a sulfonylurea to sitagliptin at Visit 2 should be on sitagliptin for at least 8 weeks prior to Visit 4/Randomization; the interval between 
Visit 2 and Visit 3 should be at least 7 weeks.
h.
The subject will be seen by a dietician or qualified healthcare professional for dietary and exercise counseling at Visits 2, 3, and 4 or the combined Visit 2/3/4 (as 
applicable); follow-up at other visits may be done by other appropriate site personnel evaluating the subject.
i.
Activity applies to subjects attending the combined Visit 2/3/4 only. 
 
 
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Trial Period:
Screeninga
Pre-
randomizationb
Randomiza-
tion
Double-Blind Treatment
Post-Treatment
Visit Number/Title:
Visit 1
Visit 2
Visit 3
Visit 4
PTC
Visit 5
PTC
Visit 6
PTC
Visit 7
PTC
Visit 8
PTC
Visit 9
D/C
Follow-up
Scheduled Hour, 
Day, Week etc.:
Week 
-1
Week 0
(Day 1)
Weeks 
1, 2, 4
Week 
6
Weeks 
8, 10
Week 
12
Week 
15
Week 
18
Week 
21
Week 
24
Week 
27
Week 
30
At 
time of 
D/Cc
14-Day Post 
Treatment 
TC
Scheduling Window 
Hours, Days etc.:
± 5 
days
+7
days
± 1 
day
± 7 
days
± 1 
day
± 7 
days
± 1 
day
± 7 
days
± 1 
day
± 7 
days
± 1 
day
± 7 
days
+3 days
j.
Subjects with elevated systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure levels, who would qualify for a combined Visit 2/3/4, may be re-screened after being on a stable blood 
pressure-lowering regimen for at least 4 weeks.  All other subjects (i.e., subjects who require Visits 2 and 3, prior to randomization at Visit 4) with elevated BP levels, may 
have blood pressure medication initiated or adjusted and continue in the trial.  Subjects must be on a stable regimen for at least 4 weeks prior to Visit 4/Randomization 
(Day 1).  
k.
Brief physical examination includes assessment of heart, lungs, abdomen, extremities and skin.
l.
Site fingerstick A1C is not mandatory, but may be used, at the discretion of the investigator, for screening a subject.  However, a fingerstick A1C cannot substitute for a 
central laboratory measured A1C to determine if a subject meets entry criteria.
m.
FFSG values performed in the clinic will be used to assess subject eligibility prior to randomization.
n.
SMBG measurements (FSG Log) and the HAL will be reviewed at Visit 3 and Visit 4 for subjects who require Visits 2, 3, and 4 as separate visits.  Additionally, these 
logs will be reviewed at all clinic visits and telephone contacts after Visit 4/Randomization (Day 1) for all subjects and will be used to assess for events of hypoglycemia.
o.
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to be conducted in a subset of study subjects (n=~50-80).  Subjects participating in the CGM sub-study should not use 
acetaminophen and/or medications containing acetaminophen for at least 24 hours prior to sensor insertion and while the sensor is being used.
p.
CGM sensor and device should be placed ~1-2 weeks before the Randomization and Week 30 Visits, and removed with data downloaded at the Randomization and Week 
30 visits, respectively.
q.
CGM sensor and device should be placed at the Week 12 visit and removed with data downloaded at the clinic ~1-2 weeks later. 
r.
Measurements include liver function tests (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin [indirect and direct bilirubin, if the total bilirubin is >ULN]) and calculation of 
eGFR (MDRD formula).
s.
If a combined Visit 2/3/4 occurs within 2 weeks after Visit 1/Screening, it is not necessary to repeat A1C and chemistry panel tests at the combined visit.  The Visit 1 
results from these assessments may be used to satisfy entry criteria.
t.
Fasting C-peptide test at Visit 1/Screening is only for a subject assessed by the investigator as possibly having T1DM or LADA.
u.
A subject excluded due to TSH criterion while on thyroid replacement therapy may be re-screened after being on a stable, adjusted thyroid replacement regimen for at 
least 6 weeks.
v.
Subjects with elevated TG levels, who would qualify for a combined Visit 2/3/4, may be re-screened after being on a stable lipid-lowering regimen for at least 4 weeks.  
All other subjects (i.e., subjects who require Visits 2 and 3, prior to randomization at Visit 4) with elevated TG levels, may have lipid-lowering medication initiated or 
adjusted and continue in the trial if a repeat measurement (at Visit 3/Week -1) no longer meets the exclusion criterion.  All subjects must be on a stable dose of a lipid-
lowering medication for at least 4 weeks prior to Visit 4/Randomization (Day 1).
w.
Women of childbearing potential will have a urine pregnancy test (and serum pregnancy test if required by site's Institutional Review Board [IRB]/Ethics Committee 
[EC]).  A subject with a positive urine pregnancy test during double-blind treatment period will interrupt sitagliptin, metformin, and insulin glargine treatment and 
undergo a serum pregnancy test.
x.
If dipstick (midstream urine specimen) is positive for blood, WBC (e.g., leukocyte esterase, nitrates), or protein, then a urine sample for a complete urinalysis (dipstick 
and microscopy) should be sent to the central laboratory.
 
 
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7.0 TRIAL PROCEDURES
Trial Procedures
7.1
The Trial Flow Chart - Section 6.0 summarizes the trial procedures to be performed at each 
visit.  Individual trial procedures are described in detail below.  It may be necessary to 
perform these procedures at unscheduled time points if deemed clinically necessary by the 
investigator.
Furthermore, additional evaluations/testing may be deemed necessary by the investigator and 
or the Sponsor for reasons related to subject safety. In some cases, such evaluation/testing 
may be potentially sensitive in nature (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis C, etc.), and thus local regulations 
may require that additional informed consent be obtained from the subject.  In these cases, 
such evaluations/testing will be performed in accordance with those regulations.
Administrative Procedures
7.1.1
Informed Consent
7.1.1.1
The investigator or qualified designee must obtain documented consent from each potential 
subject or each subject’s legally acceptable representative prior to participating in a clinical 
trial or Future Biomedical Research.
7.1.1.1.1 General Informed Consent
Consent must be documented by the subject’s dated signature or by the subject’s legally 
acceptable representative’s dated signature on a consent form along with the dated signature 
of the person conducting the consent discussion. 
A copy of the signed and dated consent form should be given to the subject before 
participation in the trial.
The initial informed consent form, any subsequent revised written informed consent form 
and any written information provided to the subject must receive the IRB/ERC’s 
approval/favorable opinion in advance of use.  The subject or his/her legally acceptable 
representative should be informed in a timely manner if new information becomes available 
that may be relevant to the subject’s willingness to continue participation in the trial.  The 
communication of this information will be provided and documented via a revised consent 
form or addendum to the original consent form that captures the subject’s dated signature or 
by the subject’s legally acceptable representative’s dated signature.
Specifics about a trial and the trial population will be added to the consent form template at 
the protocol level.  
The informed consent will adhere to IRB/ERC requirements, applicable laws and regulations 
and Sponsor requirements.
 
 
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7.1.1.1.2 Consent and Collection of Specimens for Future Biomedical Research
The investigator or qualified designee will explain the Future Biomedical Research consent 
to the subject, answer all of his/her questions, and obtain written informed consent before 
performing any procedure related to the Future Biomedical Research sub-trial.  A copy of the 
informed consent will be given to the subject.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
7.1.1.2
All inclusion and exclusion criteria will be reviewed by the investigator or qualified designee 
to ensure that the subject qualifies for the trial.
Subject Identification Card
7.1.1.3
All subjects will be given a Subject Identification Card identifying them as participants in a 
research trial.  The card will contain trial site contact information (including direct telephone 
numbers) to be utilized in the event of an emergency.  The investigator or qualified designee 
will provide the subject with a Subject Identification Card immediately after the subject 
provides written informed consent.
The subject identification card also contains contact information for the emergency 
unblinding call center so that a health care provider can obtain information about trial 
medication/vaccination in emergency situations where the investigator is not available.
Medical History
7.1.1.4
A medical history will be obtained by the investigator or qualified designee.  The use of 
tobacco should be collected as part of the medical history.
Prior and Concomitant Medications Review
7.1.1.5
7.1.1.5.1 Prior Medications
The investigator or qualified designee will review prior medication use, including any 
protocol-specified washout requirement, and record prior medication taken by the subject 
within 15 weeks before Visit 1/Screening.
7.1.1.5.2 Concomitant Medications
The investigator or qualified designee will record medication, if any, taken by the subject 
during the trial.
Assignment of Screening Number
7.1.1.6
All consented subjects will be given a unique screening number that will be used to identify 
the subject for all procedures that occur prior to randomization or treatment allocation.  Each 
subject will be assigned only one screening number.  Screening numbers must not be re-used 
for different subjects.
Any subject who is screened multiple times will retain the original screening number 
assigned at the initial screening visit.
 
 
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Please refer to the Trial Flow Chart (see Section 6.0) and the Investigator Trial File Binder
for specific details on the screening/rescreening visit requirements.  
Assignment of Treatment/Randomization Number
7.1.1.7
All eligible subjects will be randomly allocated and will receive a treatment/randomization 
number.  The treatment/randomization number identifies the subject for all procedures 
occurring after treatment allocation/randomization.  Once a treatment/randomization number 
is assigned to a subject, it can never be re-assigned to another subject.
A single subject cannot be assigned more than 1 treatment/randomization number.
Trial Compliance (Medication/Diet/Activity/Other)
7.1.1.8
Adherence to treatment will be assessed by subject report during the double-blind treatment 
period.  Every effort will be made to maintain adherence as close to 100% as possible.
Interruptions from the protocol specified treatment plan for ≥7 days OR compliance ≤75%
require consultation between the investigator and the Sponsor and written documentation of 
the collaborative decision on subject management.
Administration of oral trial medication will be witnessed by the investigator and/or trial staff
at Visit 4 or combined Visit 2/3/4, as applicable. LANTUS® will be administered by the 
subject in the evening and the site will call the subject on Day 2 to record the dose and timing 
of administration.
7.1.1.8.1 Diet and Exercise Counseling
Refer to Section 5.7 for further details.
7.1.1.8.2 Dispense Hypoglycemia Assessment Log and Instruct on Hypoglycemia 
Symptoms and Management
At Visit 2 or Visit 4/Day 1 (as applicable to the subject) the site will dispense the 
Hypoglycemia Assessment Log (HAL) and review the symptoms and management of 
hypoglycemia with the subject.  The site will counsel the subject to immediately perform a 
fingerstick glucose measurement if any symptoms occur that may be related to hypoglycemia 
(e.g., weakness, dizziness, shakiness, increased sweating, palpitations, or confusion), but also 
to avoid delay in treating these symptoms.
The subject will be instructed to complete the HAL for any symptomatic episodes he or she 
believes may represent hypoglycemia.  If a fingerstick glucose has been obtained before or 
shortly (i.e., within a few minutes) after treating, the value should be recorded in the log.  In 
addition, subjects will be instructed to record in the log any fingerstick glucose values ≤70 
mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) regardless of the presence of symptoms.
 
 
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Subjects should be instructed to contact the investigational site to report:

any episode of hypoglycemia for which assistance was required (i.e., severe 
hypoglycemia),

any episode of fingerstick glucose ≤70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) with or without 
symptoms.
Note: As indicated, subjects will record symptoms and/or fingerstick glucose measurements 
that they believe are related to hypoglycemia on the HAL.  Each episode should be evaluated
by the investigator.  For episodes determined to be hypoglycemia (symptomatic or 
asymptomatic), and for all glucose values ≤70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) the Hypoglycemia 
Assessment (HA) eCRF must also be completed.  .
7.1.1.8.3 Dispense Glucose Meter and Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG)
Instructions
Glucose meters will be supplied to all subjects at Visit 2 or Visit 4/Day 1 (as applicable to the 
subject) in order to perform SMBG measurements. Subjects will be instructed on the 
procedure to perform fingerstick glucose measurements and document these measurements 
on the Fingerstick Glucose (FSG) Log.  Subjects will monitor their fingerstick glucose 
concentrations at least once daily (fasting, before breakfast), but potentially more frequently 
at other times of the day as determined appropriate by the investigator (based upon his/her 
assessment of the subject’s risk for hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia).  Additionally, 
beginning at Visit 4/Day 1, the daily insulin glargine (LANTUS®) dose will be recorded on 
the FSG Log.  See further details regarding fingerstick measurements and insulin titration in 
Section 5.2.1.2.
Throughout the duration of the entire study (pre- and post-randomization), subjects 
will be instructed to contact the site if the fingerstick glucose values are ≤70 mg/dL (3.9 
mmol/L). Post-randomization, the investigator will assess the potential need for a reduction 
in the insulin glargine (LANTUS®) dose based on the treat-to-target algorithm presented in
Table 4 (see Section 5.2.1.2).
7.1.1.8.4 Medication Compliance Monitoring
All subjects will be directed to bring any used and unused bottles of double-blind study 
medication to each visit.  The investigator must maintain a complete and current 
accountability record for the blinded study drug.
During the trial, compliance will be assessed by subject report (see Section 8.11).  Every 
effort will be made to maintain compliance as close to 100% as possible. 
The investigator or designee will counsel subjects who report taking <80% of the prescribed 
blinded study drug following randomization.  The investigator or designee will determine the 
factors that resulted in <80% compliance with the blinded study drug and will take steps to 
improve compliance.  Subjects will be counseled on the importance of taking their 
medication as prescribed. Subject counseling will be documented in source documents.
 
 
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Clinical Procedures/Assessments
7.1.2
Vital Signs
7.1.2.1
Vital sign measurements include a duplicate measurement of sitting blood pressure and pulse 
rate.  Blood pressure and pulse rate will be measured using an automated, oscillometric blood 
pressure measuring device at all visits as noted in the Trial Flow Chart - Section 6.0.  Site 
personnel should use the same blood pressure measuring device throughout the study for 
each subject.  
Refer to the Investigator Trial File Binder for additional details regarding collection of vital 
signs measurements. 
Physical Examination
7.1.2.2
7.1.2.2.1 Full Physical Examination
A full physical examination will be performed at the visits noted in the Trial Flow Chart -
Section 6.0; genitourinary and rectal examination may be omitted from the full examination.  
7.1.2.2.2 Brief Physical Examination
A brief physical examination including assessment of the heart, lungs, abdomen, extremities, 
and skin will be performed at the visits noted in the Trial Flow Chart - Section 6.0. Other 
body systems may be evaluated as per the judgment of the investigator or as needed to 
evaluate adverse events.
Height and Weight
7.1.2.3
Height and weight will be measured at each of the pre-defined nominal time points outlined 
in the Trial Flow Chart – Section 6.0.  Body weight will be measured using a standardized, 
digital scale (provided by the sponsor).  
Refer to the Investigator Trial File Binder for additional details regarding collection of height 
and weight measurements.
12-Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG)
7.1.2.4
A single, supine 12-lead ECG will be obtained at the visit noted in the Trial Flow Chart –
Section 6.0.  

Subjects should avoid the ingestion of caffeine and nicotine-containing products for 
at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled ECGs and blood pressure determinations.

12-lead ECGs should be performed after the subject has rested quietly for at least 10 
minutes in a supine position.
12-lead ECGs should be obtained prior to the nominal time assessment of blood pressure, 
and pulse rate as well as prior to blood collection.
The investigator is responsible for retaining all copies of the ECG reports.
 
 
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Patient Telephone Contacts (PTCs)
7.1.2.5
Patient telephone contacts will be conducted according to the Trial Flow Chart - Section 6.0.  
The purpose of these phone calls is to assess insulin titration, monitor patients for 
hypoglycemia, and assess any adverse events which may have occurred since the previous
clinic visit.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)
7.1.2.6
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) will be conducted in all randomized subjects that 
agree to this procedure at select study sites at the visits noted in the Trial Flow Chart -
Section 6.0.
CGM will be performed as described below in Table 5.
Table 5  Continuous Glucose Monitoring Schedule 
Activity/Timepoint
Placement of Device/Sensor
Duration of 
Monitoring
Removal of Device/Sensor and 
Download of Data
Baseline
~1-2 Weeks Prior to Visit 
4/Randomization (Day 1)
~1-2 Weeks
Visit 4/Randomization (Day 1)
Mid Study
Visit 6/Week 12
~1-2 Weeks
~1-2 Weeks after Visit 6/Week 
12
End of Study
~1-2 Weeks Prior to Visit 
9/Week 30
~1-2 Weeks
Visit 9/Week 30
Information on the precise timing and placement and removal of the sensor and device for 
CGM will be detailed in the Investigator Trial File Binder.  
Sites will be required to transfer the downloaded data to the Sponsor’s designee. 
Please refer to the Investigator Trial File Binder for additional details. 
Laboratory Procedures/Assessments
7.1.3
All laboratory tests outlined in the Trial Flow Chart - Section 6.0 will be performed by the 
central laboratory except for the following tests which will be performed at the 
investigational site: the optional site fingerstick A1C at Visit 1/Screening, the fasting 
fingerstick glucose measurement at the combined Visit 2/3/4 or Visit 4, Randomization (as 
applicable), dipstick urinalysis, and urine pregnancy tests.
Laboratory test results for chemistry, hematology, lipids, and FPG will not be masked.  
Hemoglobin A1C will be masked from the combined Visit 2/3/4 or Visit 4, Randomization 
(Day 1), as applicable, until study completion. 
The central laboratory will flag the following safety measurements potentially meeting 
specific criteria for discontinuation from blinded study drug:

eGFR <50 mL/min/1.73 m2;

elevations ≥3X ULN in liver transaminases (i.e., ALT and AST) (see Section 12.4 for 
guidance on retesting);

positive serum pregnancy test.
 
 
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Details regarding specific laboratory procedures/assessments to be performed in this trial are 
provided below.
Refer to the Trial Flow Chart - Section 6.0 for specific laboratory tests performed at each 
trial visit.
Laboratory Evaluations (Hematology, Chemistry and Urinalysis)
7.1.3.1
Laboratory tests for hematology, chemistry and urinalysis are specified below in Table 6.
Table 6  Laboratory Tests
Hematology
Chemistry
Others
Urinalysis

Hemoglobin

Hematocrit

RBC Count

Platelet Count

WBC Count

Neutrophils

Eosinophils

Monocytes

Basophils

Lymphocytes

BUN

Serum Creatinine (eGFR 
calculated 
using 
the 
MDRD formula)

Glucose

Sodium

Potassium

Chloride

Total Carbon Dioxide 
(Bicarbonate)

AST (SGOT)

ALT (SGPT)

Alkaline Phosphatase

Total Bilirubin

Direct 
(conjugated) 
Bilirubina

Indirect (unconjugated) 
Bilirubina

TSH

Fasting C-peptide

A1C

FPG

Pregnancy 
Tests 
(where applicable)

Lipid 
Panel 
(i.e., 
Total 
Cholesterol, 
HDL-C, non-HDL-
C, 
LDL-C, 
and 
Triglycerides)

Blood

Glucose

Protein

Leukocyte 
esterase

Nitrates

Specific Gravity

Microscopic 
exam, if abnormal 
results are noted
a Both direct and indirect bilirubin measured only when total bilirubin is greater than ULN.
Laboratory tests will be performed after at least a 10-hour fast (i.e., no food, double-blind 
study drug, open-label AHA medication [metformin], or drink except water and non-AHA 
non-study drug as prescribed).  
Subjects who have not fasted prior to Visit 1/Screening should return to the clinic fasting 
prior to Visit 4/Randomization for fasting TG and FPG measurements.  After randomization, 
subjects who do not fast before a scheduled visit will be required to return fasting for the
study visit within three days. 
Future Biomedical Research Sample Collection
7.1.3.2
The following specimens are to be obtained as part of Future Biomedical Research:

Blood (DNA) for future research

Plasma for future research

Serum for future research.
 
 
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Other Procedures
7.1.4
Withdrawal/Discontinuation
7.1.4.1
Subjects who discontinue/withdraw from treatment prior to completion of the treatment 
regimen should be encouraged to continue to be followed for all remaining study visits.
When a subject discontinues/withdraws from participation in the trial, all applicable activities 
scheduled for the Discontinuation Visit should be performed at the time of discontinuation.  
Any adverse events which are present at the time of discontinuation/withdrawal should be 
followed in accordance with the safety requirements outlined in Section 7.2 - Assessing and 
Recording Adverse Events.
7.1.4.1.1 Withdrawal From Future Biomedical Research
Subjects may withdraw their consent for Future Biomedical Research and have their 
specimens and all derivatives destroyed.   Subjects may withdraw consent at any time by 
contacting the principal investigator for the main trial.  If medical records for the main trial 
are still available, the investigator will contact the Sponsor using the designated mailbox 
, and a form will be provided by the Sponsor to 
obtain appropriate information to complete specimen withdrawal.  Subsequently, the 
subject's specimens will be removed from the biorepository and be destroyed.  A letter will 
be sent from the Sponsor to the investigator confirming the destruction. It is the 
responsibility of the investigator to inform the subject of completion of destruction.  Any 
analyses in progress at the time of request for destruction or already performed prior to the 
request being received by the Sponsor will continue to be used as part of the overall research 
trial data and results.   No new analyses would be generated after the request is received.
In the event that the medical records for the main trial are no longer available (e.g., if the 
investigator is no longer required by regulatory authorities to retain the main trial records) or 
the specimens have been completely anonymized, there will no longer be a link between the 
subject’s personal information and their specimens.  In this situation, the request for 
specimen destruction cannot be processed.
Blinding/Unblinding
7.1.4.2
When the investigator or sub-investigator needs to identify the drug used by a subject and the 
dosage administered in case of emergency e.g., the occurrence of serious adverse 
experiences, he/she will contact the emergency unblinding call center by telephone and make 
a request for emergency unblinding.  As requested by the investigator or sub-investigator the 
emergency unblinding call center will provide the information to him/her promptly and 
report unblinding to the sponsor.  The emergency unblinding call center will make a record 
promptly however, the investigator or sub-investigator must enter the intensity of the adverse 
experiences observed,   their relation to study drug, the reason thereof, etc., in the medical 
chart etc., before unblinding is performed.  
 
 
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Additionally, the investigator must go into the IVRS system and perform the unblind in the 
IVRS system to update drug disposition.  In the event that the emergency unblinding call 
center is not available for a given site in this trial, IVRS/IWRS should be used for emergency 
unblinding in the event that this is required for subject safety.
In the event that unblinding has occurred, the circumstances around the unblinding (e.g., date 
and reason) must be documented promptly, and the Sponsor Clinical Director notified as 
soon as possible.  Only the principal investigator or delegate and the respective subject’s 
code should be unblinded.  Trial site personnel and Sponsor personnel directly associated 
with the conduct of the trial should not be unblinded.
Calibration of Critical Equipment
7.1.4.3
The investigator or qualified designee has the responsibility to ensure that any critical device
or instrument used for a clinical evaluation/test during a clinical trial that provides important 
information about inclusion/exclusion criteria and/or safety or efficacy parameters shall be 
suitably calibrated and maintained to ensure that the data obtained is reliable and/or 
reproducible.  Documentation of equipment calibration must be retained as source 
documentation at the trial site.
Visit Requirements
7.1.5
Visit requirements are outlined in Section 6.0 - Trial Flow Chart.   Specific procedure-related 
details are provided above in Section 7.1 - Trial Procedures.
Refer to the Investigator Trial File Binder for details regarding the scheduling of study visits 
and patient telephone contacts.
Assessing and Recording Adverse Events
7.2
An adverse event is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical 
investigation subject administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily 
have to have a causal relationship with this treatment. An adverse event can therefore be any 
unfavourable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding, for example), 
symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product or protocol-
specified procedure, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product or protocol-
specified procedure.  Any worsening (i.e., any clinically significant adverse change in 
frequency and/or intensity) of a preexisting condition that is temporally associated with the 
use of the Sponsor’s product, is also an adverse event.
Changes resulting from normal growth and development that do not vary significantly in 
frequency or severity from expected levels are not to be considered adverse events.  
Examples of this may include, but are not limited to, teething, typical crying in infants and 
children and onset of menses or menopause occurring at a physiologically appropriate time.
Sponsor's product includes any pharmaceutical product, biological product, device, 
diagnostic agent or protocol-specified procedure, whether investigational (including placebo 
or active comparator medication) or marketed, manufactured by, licensed by, provided by or 
distributed by the Sponsor for human use.
 
 
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Adverse events may occur during clinical trials, or as prescribed in clinical practice, from 
overdose (whether accidental or intentional), from abuse and from withdrawal.
All adverse events that occur after the consent form is signed but before treatment 
allocation/randomization must be reported by the investigator if they cause the subject to be 
excluded from the trial, or are the result of a protocol-specified intervention, including but 
not limited to washout or discontinuation of usual therapy, diet, placebo treatment or a 
procedure. From the time of treatment allocation/randomization through 14 days following 
cessation of treatment, all adverse events must be reported by the investigator. Such events 
will be recorded at each examination on the Adverse Event case report forms/worksheets.  
The reporting timeframe for adverse events meeting any serious criteria is described in 
section 7.2.3.1. The investigator will make every attempt to follow all subjects with non-
serious adverse events for outcome.
Electronic reporting procedures can be found in the EDC data entry guidelines. Paper 
reporting procedures can be found in the Investigator Trial File Binder (or equivalent).
Definition of an Overdose for This Protocol and Reporting of Overdose to the 
7.2.1
Sponsor
An overdose must be reported if either of the following occurs during the conduct of this 
trial: (1) Dosing of >400 mg/day of sitagliptin or sitagliptin-matching placebo or (2) >200 
mg/day of sitagliptin or sitagliptin-matching placebo for more than 28 days.  
Investigators/site personnel are to consult the local approved insulin glargine (LANTUS®) 
and metformin (IR or XR) product labels for guidance on the definition of an overdose of 
these agents.
If an adverse event(s) is associated with (“results from”) the overdose of Sponsor's product or 
vaccine, the adverse event(s) is reported as a serious adverse event, even if no other 
seriousness criteria are met.
If a dose of Sponsor's product or vaccine meeting the protocol definition of overdose is taken 
without any associated clinical symptoms or abnormal laboratory results, the overdose is 
reported as a non-serious Event of Clinical Interest (ECI), using the terminology “accidental 
or intentional overdose without adverse effect.”
All reports of overdose with and without an adverse event must be reported by the 
investigator within 24 hours to the Sponsor either by electronic media or paper. Electronic 
reporting procedures can be found in the EDC data entry guidelines. Paper reportin g 
procedures can be found in the Investigator Trial File Binder (or equivalent).
Reporting of Pregnancy and Lactation to the Sponsor
7.2.2
Although pregnancy and lactation are not considered adverse events, it is the responsibility of 
investigators or their designees to report any pregnancy or lactation in a subject 
(spontaneously reported to them) that occurs during the trial.
 
 
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Pregnancies and lactations that occur after the consent form is signed but before treatment 
allocation/randomization must be reported by the investigator if they cause the subject to be 
excluded from the trial, or are the result of a protocol-specified intervention, including but 
not limited to washout or discontinuation of usual therapy, diet, placebo treatment or a 
procedure.  Pregnancies and lactations that occur from the time of treatment 
allocation/randomization through 14 days following cessation of Sponsor’s product must be 
reported by the investigator.  All reported pregnancies
must be followed to the 
completion/termination of the pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes of spontaneous abortion, 
missed abortion, benign hydatidiform mole, blighted ovum, fetal death, intrauterine death, 
miscarriage and stillbirth must be reported as serious events (Important Medical Events). If 
the pregnancy continues to term, the outcome (health of infant) must also be reported.
Such events must be reported within 24 hours to the Sponsor either by electronic media or 
paper. Electronic reporting procedures can be found in the EDC data entry guidelines. Paper 
reporting procedures can be found in the Investigator Trial File Binder (or equivalent).
Immediate Reporting of Adverse Events to the Sponsor
7.2.3
Serious Adverse Events
7.2.3.1
A serious adverse event is any adverse event occurring at any dose or during any use of 
Sponsor's product that:
●
Results in death;
●
Is life threatening;
●
Results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity;
●
Results in or prolongs an existing inpatient hospitalization;
●
Is a congenital anomaly/birth defect;
●
Is an other important medical event.
Note: In addition to the above criteria, adverse events meeting either of the below criteria, 
although not serious per ICH definition, are reportable to the Sponsor in the same timeframe 
as SAEs to meet certain local requirements. Therefore, these events are considered serious by 
the Sponsor for collection purposes.
●
Is a cancer;
●
Is associated with an overdose.
Refer to Table 7 for additional details regarding each of the above criteria.
For the time period beginning when the consent form is signed until treatment 
allocation/randomization, any serious adverse event, or follow up to a serious adverse event, 
including death due to any cause, that occurs to any subject must be reported within 24 hours 
to the Sponsor if it causes the subject to be excluded from the trial, or is the result of a 
protocol-specified intervention, including but not limited to washout or discontinuation of 
usual therapy, diet, placebo treatment or a procedure.
 
 
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For the time period beginning at treatment allocation/randomization through 14 days 
following cessation of treatment, any serious adverse event, or follow up to a serious adverse 
event, including death due to any cause, whether or not related to the Sponsor's product, must 
be reported within 24 hours to the Sponsor either by electronic media or paper. Electronic 
reporting procedures can be found in the EDC data entry guidelines. Paper reporting 
procedures can be found in the Investigator Trial File Binder (or equivalent).
Additionally, any serious adverse event, considered by an investigator who is a qualified 
physician to be related to the Sponsor's product that is brought to the attention of the 
investigator at any time outside of the time period specified in the previous paragraph also 
must be reported immediately to the Sponsor.
All subjects with serious adverse events must be followed up for outcome.
Events of Clinical Interest
7.2.3.2
Selected non-serious and serious adverse events are also known as Events of Clinical Interest 
(ECI) and must be reported to the Sponsor.
For the time period beginning when the consent form is signed until treatment 
allocation/randomization, any ECI, or follow up to an ECI, that occurs to any subject must be 
reported within 24 hours to the Sponsor if it causes the subject to be excluded from the trial, 
or is the result of a protocol-specified intervention, including but not limited to washout or 
discontinuation of usual therapy, diet, placebo treatment or a procedure.
For the time period beginning at treatment allocation/randomization through 14 days 
following cessation of treatment, any ECI, or follow up to an ECI, whether or not related to 
the Sponsor’s product, must be reported within 24 hours to the Sponsor, either by electronic 
media or paper.  Electronic reporting procedures can be found in the EDC data entry 
guidelines.  Paper reporting procedures can be found in the Investigator Trial File Binder (or 
equivalent).
Events of clinical interest for this trial include:
1. an overdose of Sponsor's product, as defined in Section 7.2.1 - Definition of an Overdose 
for This Protocol and Reporting of Overdose to the Sponsor, that is not associated with 
clinical symptoms or abnormal laboratory results. 
2. an elevated AST or ALT lab value that is greater than or equal to 3X the upper limit of 
normal and an elevated total bilirubin lab value that is greater than or equal to 2X the 
upper limit of normal and, at the same time, an alkaline phosphatase lab value that is less 
than 2X the upper limit of normal, as determined by way of protocol-specified laboratory 
testing or unscheduled laboratory testing.*
*Note:  These criteria are based upon available regulatory guidance documents. The 
purpose of the criteria is to specify a threshold of abnormal hepatic tests that may require 
an additional evaluation for an underlying etiology. The trial site guidance for assessment 
and follow up of these criteria can be found in the Investigator Trial File Binder (or 
equivalent).
 
 
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Evaluating Adverse Events
7.2.4
An investigator who is a qualified physician will evaluate all adverse events with respect to 
the elements outlined in Table 7. The investigator’s assessment of causality is required for 
each adverse event.  Refer to Table 7 for instructions in evaluating adverse events.
 
 
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Table 7  Evaluating Adverse Events
Maximum
Mild
awareness of sign or symptom, but easily tolerated  (for pediatric trials, awareness of symptom, but easily tolerated)
Intensity
Moderate
discomfort enough to cause interference with usual activity (for pediatric trials, definitely acting like something is wrong)
Severe
incapacitating with inability to work or do usual activity (for pediatric trials, extremely distressed or unable to do usual activities)
Seriousness
A serious adverse event (AE) is any adverse event occurring at any dose or during any use of Sponsor's product that:
†Results in death; or
†Is life threatening; or places the subject, in the view of the investigator, at immediate risk of death from the event as it occurred [Note: This does not include an 
adverse event  that, had it occurred in a more severe form, might have caused death.]; or
†Results in a persistent or significant disability/incapacity (substantial disruption of one’s ability to conduct normal life functions); or
†Results in or prolongs an existing inpatient hospitalization (hospitalization is defined as an inpatient admission, regardless of length of stay, even if the 
hospitalization is a precautionary measure for continued observation.   (Note: Hospitalization for an elective procedure to treat a pre-existing condition that has not 
worsened is not a serious adverse event.  A pre-existing condition is a clinical condition that is diagnosed prior to the use of a Merck product and is documented in the 
patient’s medical history.); or
†Is a congenital anomaly/birth defect  (in offspring of subject taking the product regardless of time to diagnosis); or
Is a cancer (although not serious per ICH definition, is reportable to the Sponsor within 24 hours to meet certain local requirements); or
Is associated with an overdose (whether accidental or intentional).  Any adverse event associated with an overdose is considered a serious adverse event for 
collection purposes. An overdose that is not associated with an adverse event is considered a non-serious event of clinical interest and must be reported within 24 
hours.
Other important medical events that may not result in death, not be life threatening, or not require hospitalization may be considered a serious adverse event when, 
based upon appropriate medical judgment, the event may jeopardize the subject and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed 
previously (designated above by a †).
Duration
Record the start and stop dates of the adverse event.  If less than 1 day, indicate the appropriate length of time and units
Action taken 
Did the adverse event cause the Sponsor's product to be discontinued?
Relationship to 
Sponsor's 
Product
Did the Sponsor's product cause the adverse event?   The determination of the likelihood that the Sponsor's product caused the adverse event will be provided by an 
investigator who is a qualified physician.  The investigator’s signed/dated initials on the source document or worksheet that supports the causality noted on the AE 
form, ensures that a medically qualified assessment of causality was done.  This initialed document must be retained for the required regulatory time frame.  The 
criteria below are intended as reference guidelines to assist the investigator in assessing the likelihood of a relationship between the test drug and the adverse event 
based upon the available information
The following components are to be used to assess the relationship between the Sponsor's product and the AE; the greater the correlation with the components 
and their respective elements (in number and/or intensity), the more likely the Sponsor's product caused the adverse event:
Exposure
Is there evidence that the subject was actually exposed to the Sponsor's product such as:  reliable history, acceptable compliance assessment (pill 
count, diary, etc.), expected pharmacologic effect, or measurement of drug/metabolite in bodily specimen?
Time Course
Did 
the 
AE 
follow 
in 
a 
reasonable 
temporal 
sequence 
from 
administration 
of 
the 
Sponsor's 
product? 
Is the time of onset of the AE compatible with a drug-induced effect (applies to trials with investigational medicinal product)?
Likely Cause
Is the AE not reasonably explained by another etiology such as underlying disease, other drug(s)/vaccine(s), or other host or environmental 
factors
 
 
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Relationship
The following components are to be used to assess the relationship between the Sponsor's product and the AE:  (continued)
to Sponsor's 
Product
(continued) 
Dechallenge
Was the Sponsor's product discontinued or dose/exposure/frequency reduced?
      If yes, did the AE resolve or improve?
           If yes, this is a positive dechallenge.    If no, this is a negative dechallenge.
(Note:  This criterion is not applicable if:  (1) the AE resulted in death or permanent disability; (2) the AE resolved/improved despite continuation 
of the Sponsor's product; (3) the trial is a single-dose drug trial); or (4) Sponsor's product(s) is/are only used one time.)
Rechallenge
Was the subject re-exposed to the Sponsor's product in this trial?
      If yes, did the AE recur or worsen?
          If yes, this is a positive rechallenge.    If no, this is a negative rechallenge.
(Note:  This criterion is not applicable if:  (1) the initial AE resulted in death or permanent disability, or (2) the trial is a single-dose drug trial); or 
(3) Sponsor's product(s) is/are used only one time.)
NOTE:  IF A RECHALLENGE IS PLANNED FOR AN ADVERSE EVENT WHICH WAS SERIOUS AND WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN 
CAUSED BY THE SPONSOR'S PRODUCT, OR IF RE-EXPOSURE TO THE SPONSOR'S PRODUCT POSES ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL 
SIGNIFICANT RISK TO THE SUBJECT THEN THE RECHALLENGE MUST BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE BY THE SPONSOR
CLINICAL DIRECTOR AND THE INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD/INDEPENDENT ETHICS COMMITTEE.
Consistency 
with Trial 
Treatment 
Profile
Is the clinical/pathological presentation of the AE consistent with previous knowledge regarding the Sponsor's product or drug class 
pharmacology or toxicology?
The assessment of relationship will be reported on the case report forms /worksheets by an investigator who is a qualified physician according to his/her best clinical judgment, including 
consideration of the above elements.
Record one of the following:
Use the following scale of criteria as guidance (not all criteria must be present to be indicative of a Sponsor's product relationship).
Yes, there is a reasonable 
possibility of Sponsor's product 
relationship.
There is evidence of exposure to the Sponsor's product.  The temporal sequence of the AE onset relative to the administration of the Sponsor's 
product is reasonable.  The AE is more likely explained by the Sponsor's product than by another cause. 
No, there is not a reasonable 
possibility of Sponsor's product 
relationship
Subject did not receive the Sponsor's product OR temporal sequence of the AE onset relative to administration of the Sponsor's product is not 
reasonable OR the AE is more likely explained by another cause than the Sponsor’s product.  (Also entered for a subject with overdose without 
an associated AE.)
 
 
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Sponsor Responsibility for Reporting Adverse Events
7.2.5
All Adverse Events will be reported to regulatory authorities, IRB/IECs and investigators in 
accordance with all applicable global laws and regulations, i.e., per ICH Topic E6 (R1) 
Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice.
8.0 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PLAN
This section outlines the statistical analysis strategy and procedures for the study.  If, after 
the study has begun, but prior to any unblinding, changes made to primary and/or key 
secondary hypotheses, or the statistical methods related to those hypotheses, then the 
protocol will be amended (consistent with ICH Guideline E-9).  Changes to exploratory or 
other non-confirmatory analyses made after the protocol has been finalized, but prior to 
unblinding, will be documented in a supplemental SAP (sSAP) and referenced in the Clinical 
Study Report (CSR) for the study.  Post hoc exploratory analyses will be clearly identified in 
the CSR.  
Statistical Analysis Plan Summary
8.1
Key elements of the statistical analysis plan are summarized below; the comprehensive plan
is provided in Sections 8.2 - 8.12.  
Study Design Overview
Continuing sitagliptin vs. withdrawing sitagliptin when subjects initiate 
insulin and titrate insulin in a treat-to-target design
Treatment Assignment
Subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to continue sitagliptin or 
withdraw sitagliptin.  Subjects will take sitagliptin and sitagliptin-
matching placebo for the continuing sitagliptin group and withdrawing 
sitagliptin group, respectively. 
Stratification factor: AHA treatment at screening (Met + DPP-4i, Met +
DPP-4i + SU, Met + SU)
Analysis Populations
Efficacy: Full Analysis Set (FAS)
Safety: All Subjects as Treated (ASaT)
Primary Endpoint(s)

Change from baseline in A1C at Week 30
- Non-inferiority
- Superiority

Event rate (number of events divided by follow-up time) of 
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 
mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L) over 30 weeks
Key Secondary Endpoints
The following endpoints are included in the study objectives

Event rate of each of the following over 30 weeks
- documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose 
<56 mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L) 
- documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL
(≤3.9 mmol/L) 
- documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL
(≤3.1 mmol/L) 

Incidence (number of subjects with ≥1 event divided by number 
of subjects) of each of the following over 30 weeks:
- documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose 
≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L)
- documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose 
<56 mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L)
- documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL
 
 
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(≤3.9 mmol/L)
- documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL
(≤3.1 mmol/L)

Change from baseline in daily dose of insulin at Week 30

Proportion of subjects with A1C goal <7.0% (<53 mmol/mol) at 
Week 30

Proportion of subjects with A1C goal <7.0% (<53 mmol/mol) at 
Week 30 with no documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose 
≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L) during the study

Change from baseline in FPG at Week 30
Statistical Methods for 
Key Efficacy Analyses
The primary hypotheses for change from baseline in A1C at Week 30 
will be assessed via a constrained longitudinal data analysis (cLDA)
model. 
The primary hypothesis for event rate of symptomatic hypoglycemia 
with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L) will be assessed using a 
negative binomial regression model [18].
Statistical Methods for 
Key Safety Analyses
There are no tier 1 safety endpoints.  For Tier 2 endpoints, 95% 
confidence intervals will be provided for between-group differences in 
the percentage of subjects with events; these analyses will be performed 
using the Miettinen and Nurminen method [19].
Interim Analyses
No interim analyses are planned.
Multiplicity
The study-wise type I error will be controlled at 0.05 using the graphical 
approach of Maurer and Bretz [20].
The primary hypothesis for A1C non-inferiority (H1A) will be tested 
first (at =0.025, one-sided).  If A1C non-inferiority is declared, the full 
will be split equally and passed to the other 2 primary hypotheses; i.e., 
A1C superiority (H1B) and event rate of documented symptomatic 
hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (H2).  
The allocated to H1B will be fully passed to H2 if the test for H1B is 
successful; and if the test for H2 is successful, the finally allocated to 
H2 will be fully passed to the secondary hypotheses, which will be 
tested in a fixed sequence.
The study will be declared successful if compared with withdrawing 
sitagliptin, continuing sitagliptin demonstrates non-inferior A1C 
reduction as well as at least one of the following: superior A1C 
reduction or reduction in the event rate of documented symptomatic 
hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L).
Sample Size and Power 
The planned sample size is approximately 350 subjects per treatment 
group.  The study will have >99% power to establish that compared 
with withdrawing sitagliptin, continuing sitagliptin is non-inferior for 
A1C reduction, and 93% power for A1C superiority, assuming that the 
underlying treatment difference is -0.3%. 
If A1C superiority is 
achieved, the study will have 93% power to detect a rate ratio of 0.6 for 
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL
at =0.05; otherwise, the power will be 89% to detect the same ratio at 
=0.025.
Responsibility for Analyses/In-House Blinding
8.2
The statistical analysis of the data obtained from this study will be the responsibility of the 
Clinical Biostatistics department of the SPONSOR.
 
 
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This study will be conducted as a double-blind study under in-house blinding procedures.  
The official, final database will not be unblinded until medical/scientific review has been 
performed, protocol deviations have been identified, and data have been declared final and 
complete.
The Clinical Biostatistics department will generate the randomized allocation schedule(s) for 
study treatment assignment.  Randomization will be implemented in an interactive voice 
response system (IVRS).
Hypotheses/Estimation
8.3
Objectives and hypotheses of the study are stated in Sections 3.1 and 3.2.  A non-inferiority 
margin of 0.3%, which is regarded as a minimum clinically relevant difference between 2 
treatments, will be used for testing of the primary hypothesis for A1C.  Non-inferiority will 
be declared if the upper bound of the two-sided 95% CI for the treatment effect (continuing 
sitagliptin minus withdrawing sitagliptin) is less than 0.3%.
Analysis Endpoints
8.4
Efficacy and safety endpoints that will be evaluated for within- and/or between-treatment 
differences are listed below.
For change from baseline parameters, the baseline value will be defined as the Visit 4/Week 
0/Day 1 (randomization) measurement. If the Visit 4 measurement is not available, the Visit 
3/Week -1 measurement or Visit 1 measurement (only for subjects with a combined 
Visit2/3/4) will be used as baseline.  If Visit 1 (only for subjects with a combined Visit 
2/3/4), Visit 3, and Visit 4 measurements are not available, the baseline value will be treated 
as missing.
Efficacy Endpoints
8.4.1
The descriptions of the efficacy measurements and time points at which they are measured 
are described in Section 4.2.3.1 and Section 6.0 (Trial Flow Chart), respectively.  The 
efficacy endpoints to be analyzed are listed in Table 8.  These endpoints will be analyzed at 
or through Week 30.
 
 
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Table 8  Efficacy Endpoints
Endpoints for the Primary Hypotheses
Change from baseline in A1C at Week 30
-
Non-inferiority
-
Superiority
Event rate (number of events divided by follow-up time) of documented symptomatic 
hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L) over 30 weeks
Endpoints for the Secondary Hypotheses
Event rate of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL (≤3.1
mmol/L) over 30 weeks
Incidence (number of subjects with ≥1 event divided by number of subjects) of each of the 
following over 30 weeks
-
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L)
-
documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L)
-
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L)
Change from baseline in total daily insulin dose at Week 30
Other Key Secondary Endpoints
Event rate of the following over 30 weeks
-
documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L)
-
documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L)
Incidence of document hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L)
Proportion of subjects at A1C goal <7.0% (<53 mmol/mol) at Week 30
Proportion of subjects at A1C goal <7.0% (<53 mmol/mol) at Week 30 with no documented 
hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L)
Change from baseline in FPG at Week 30
Safety Endpoints
8.4.2
Descriptions of the safety measurements and time points at which they are measured are 
provided in Section 4.2.3.2 and Section 6.0 (Trial Flow Chart), respectively.  The safety
endpoints to be analyzed are listed in Table 10 in Section 8.6.2.  These endpoints will be 
analyzed over 30 weeks.
Derivation of Efficacy Endpoints
8.4.3
The event rate of a hypoglycemia endpoint for a subject is defined as the number of events 
divided by the follow-up time, which is the time from randomization to the end of the 
treatment period.
The daily insulin dose for any given post-randomization week in the analysis model is 
defined as the average dose from the three most recent informative days preceding the date 
for that week. An "informative day" is defined as any day with a non-zero insulin dose, or 
any day on which the subject did not take insulin due to hypoglycemia or because insulin was 
not required to achieve the glycemic target. All other zero-dose days will be considered 
noninformative.  
Definitions for weeks will be provided in the sSAP.
 
 
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Analysis Populations
8.5
Summaries of subject disposition will include all randomized subjects.  Summaries of 
baseline characteristics will be performed in the All Subjects Treated (AST) population, 
consisting of all randomized subjects who received at least one dose of study treatment. 
Subjects will be included in the treatment group to which they were randomized for both of 
these populations.
Efficacy Analysis Populations
8.5.1
The Full Analysis Set (FAS) population will be the primary population for the analysis of 
efficacy data in this study.  The FAS population, defined separately for each analysis 
endpoint, consists of all randomized subjects who received at least one dose of study 
treatment and had at least one measurement of the respective endpoint (baseline or post-
baseline). Analyses in the FAS will exclude data after the last dose of study medication plus 
an offset of 5 days.
The intention-to-treat (ITT) population will be a secondary population for efficacy analyses.  
The ITT population will include the same subjects as FAS. However, analyses in the ITT 
population will include all available data, including data obtained after the last dose of study 
medication in subjects who remain in the study after discontinuing study medication.  
A secondary population for the analysis of A1C goal <7.0% will be the AST population. This 
analysis will exclude data after the last dose of study medication plus an offset of 5 days.
Subjects will be included in the treatment group to which they are randomized for the 
efficacy analysis.  Details on the approach to handling missing data are provided in Section 
8.6, Statistical Methods. 
Safety Analysis Populations
8.5.2
Analyses of safety in this trial will be performed in the All Subjects as Treated (ASaT) 
population, consisting of all randomized subjects who received at least one dose of trial 
treatment.
Subjects will be included in the treatment group corresponding to the trial 
treatment they actually received for the analysis of safety data using the ASaT population. 
This will be the treatment group to which they were randomized with the exception of 
subjects who take incorrect study treatment for the entire treatment period.  Such subjects 
will be included in the treatment group corresponding to the trial treatment actually received.
At least one laboratory or vital sign measurement obtained subsequent to at least one dose of 
study treatment is required for inclusion in the analysis of each specific parameter.  To assess 
change from baseline, a baseline measurement is also required.
Details on the approach to handling missing data are provided in Section 8.6, Statistical 
Methods. 
Statistical Methods
8.6
Statistical testing and inference for efficacy analyses and safety analyses are described in 
Sections 8.6.1 and 8.6.2, respectively.
The results that will be deemed to be statistically 
significant after consideration of the Type I error control strategy are described in Section 8.8, 
Multiplicity. 
 
 
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Statistical Methods for Efficacy Analyses
8.6.1
This section describes the statistical methods that address the primary and secondary 
objectives related to the efficacy endpoints.  Methods related to exploratory objectives will 
be described in the sSAP.
The primary estimands for the study consist of the following elements:

Target population: patients with T2DM who have inadequate glycemic control on 
metformin and sitagliptin

Endpoints:
o
mean change from baseline at Week 30
-
A1C
-
daily dose of insulin
o
event rate over 30 weeks
-
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 
mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L)
-
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 
mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L)
o
incidence over 30 weeks
-
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 
mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L)
-
documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 
mmol/L] over 30 weeks
-
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 
mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L)

Measure of intervention effect: Difference (in means, in incidence) or ratio (of event 
rate) in the effect of randomized treatments (i.e., continuing sitagliptin vs. 
withdrawing sitagliptin) if all subjects followed the randomized treatment through 
Week 30.
For the primary analysis of change from baseline in A1C, a constrained longitudinal data 
analysis (cLDA) method proposed by Liang and Zeger [21] will be used in the FAS 
population. This model assumes a common mean across treatment groups at baseline and a 
different mean for each treatment at each of the post-baseline time points. In this model, the 
response vector consists of baseline and the values observed at each post-baseline time point.
Time is treated as a categorical variable so that no restriction is imposed on the trajectory of 
the means over time. The analysis model will include terms for treatment, AHA treatment at 
screening (Met + DPP-4i, Met + DPP-4i + SU, Met + SU), time, and the interactions of time 
by treatment and of time by AHA treatment at screening. An unstructured covariance matrix 
will be used to model the correlation among repeated measurements.
The treatment 
difference in terms of mean change from baseline at Week 30 will be estimated and tested 
from this model. Continuing sitagliptin will be declared non-inferior to withdrawing 
 
 
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sitagliptin for A1C reduction if the upper limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) 
for the mean difference at Week 30 is less than the non-inferiority margin, δ=0.3%.  If non-
inferiority is declared, then an assessment of superiority will be conducted following the 
multiplicity control strategy described in Section 8.8, Multiplicity.
Although the baseline measurement is included in the response vector, it is independent of 
treatment, and hence, the baseline means are constrained to be the same for different 
treatment groups. Of note, in the event that there are no missing data, the estimated 
treatment difference from the above cLDA model will be identical to that from a traditional 
longitudinal analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model which uses the baseline value as a 
covariate. However, unlike longitudinal ANCOVA, the cLDA model accounts for variability 
in the baseline values, thus providing more accurate standard errors and confidence intervals 
for individual treatment effects. Moreover, this model allows the inclusion of subjects who 
are missing either the baseline or post-baseline measurements, thereby increasing efficiency. 
Details of the model specification, assumptions, and SAS implementation code will be in the 
sSAP.
The cLDA method assumes that data are missing at random (MAR).  In this study, it is 
expected that Missing at Random and Missing Completely at Random (MAR/MCAR) 
mechanisms will underlie most of the missingness, and the proportion of data missing not at 
random (MNAR), driven solely by unobserved values of the study endpoints, will be small.  
However, because the MNAR mechanism can never be ruled out, sensitivity analyses will be 
performed to assess the robustness of the conclusions from the cLDA analyses to departures 
from MAR:

A sensitivity analysis will be performed for change from baseline in A1C with a 
pattern mixture model in conjunction with the tipping point approach [22], applicable 
to both the non-inferiority and the superiority hypotheses for change from baseline in 
A1C.
With this method, missing values will be imputed based on the marginal 
univariate normal distributions with means equal to the predicted values and 
variances equal to the squared standard errors for the predicted values obtained from 
the cLDA assuming MAR. For each imputed value, a positive adjustment Δ1 will be 
added for the continuing sitagliptin group (to the detriment of continuing sitagliptin).  
For each value of Δ1, a negative adjustment Δ2 will be added for the withdrawing 
sitagliptin group (to the improvement of withdrawing sitagliptin).  The inference will 
be carried out for a range of values of Δ1 and Δ2, a two-dimensional adjustment.  A 
contour plot will be constructed of values of Δ1 and Δ2 that render the significant 
result into non-significant, which provides a measure of robustness of the primary 
result.  

For the superiority hypothesis for change from baseline in A1C, a sensitivity analysis 
using a jump to reference (J2R) pattern mixture model will be performed [23].  
In this sensitivity analysis, the missing data due to dropout will be handled using J2R 
imputation, which falls under the category of pattern mixture models known as 
reference-based imputation. In J2R, missing data in the control group are imputed 
under the MAR assumption, while missing data in the treatment groups are imputed 
under a MNAR assumption using the control group profile for time points after 
withdrawal.
 
 
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Standard multiple imputation techniques are overly conservative as they tend to 
overestimate parameter variances. Therefore, a more appropriate variance for the J2R 
based on pattern mixture model approximation [24] will be used.   Details describing 
this methodology with relevant equations, model specifications, assumptions, and the 
SAS implementation code will be provided in the sSAP.  
A detailed accounting of missing data will be provided, including a tabulation of the reasons 
for missingness (where known) and plots of the profile of mean A1C responses among 
subjects with different missingness patterns. 
For the analysis of change from baseline in total daily insulin dose, a longitudinal data 
analysis (LDA) model will be used.  The LDA model is similar to the cLDA model described 
above, except that the response vector consists of change from baseline at each post-baseline 
time point.  The cLDA model will not be used for total daily insulin dose because the total 
daily insulin dose at baseline will be 10 units for all subjects following the study design.
For the analysis of change from baseline in FPG, the same cLDA model assuming MAR will 
be used. 
For the analysis of percentages of individuals at the A1C goal of <7.0% (53 mmol/mol) at 
Week 30, the cLDA model under MAR for the change from baseline in A1C analysis will be 
used to impute the missing A1C values at Week 30. Imputations of the missing data will be
based on the marginal univariate normal distributions with means equal to the predicted 
values and variances equal to the squared standard errors for the predicted values from the 
cLDA model. Ten sets of imputations of each missing value will be constructed from the 
cLDA model.  Observed data will not be imputed.  Subjects will be categorized as subjects at 
the A1C goal (satisfying the A1C specific goal of <7.0% [53 mmol/mol]) or subjects not at 
the goal at Week 30 after imputations.
To estimate the between-group rate difference, each of the 10 imputed data sets will be 
summarized to obtain the proportion of subjects at the goals within each group.  The 
estimated proportions of subjects at the goals from the 10 imputed data sets will be combined 
using standard multiple imputation techniques proposed by Rubin [25] to yield an overall 
estimate of response rate and associated variance for each group. The estimated response 
rates and adjusted effective sample sizes [26] will then be used to obtain the confidence 
interval for between-group rate difference via M&N method [19], stratified by AHA 
treatment at screening.  
In addition, as a sensitivity analysis the M&N method will be used to analyze the proportions 
of subjects at the A1C goal of <7.0% at Week 30 in the all subjects treated population, with 
missing data imputed as ‘not at goal’.
Hypoglycemia Endpoints
For hypoglycemia event rate and incidence rate analyses, categorization of episodes by 
glucose level will be performed based on the units (mg/dL or mmol/L) in which the glucose 
measurements were recorded.
 
 
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To address the primary hypothesis related to hypoglycemia, the event rate of documented 
symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L) in the continuing 
sitagliptin group will be compared with that of the withdrawing sitagliptin group.  A negative 
binomial (NB) regression model with a log-link function will be used, with the number of 
events for each subject being the response variable.  The model will include terms for 
treatment, race, region (i.e., North America, Europe, Other), AHA treatment at screening, 
baseline A1C value, baseline body weight, and an offset for follow-up time (on the natural
log scale).  The p-value and 95% CI for the ratio of event rates will be provided from the 
negative binomial regression model.  
For hypoglycemia endpoints with blood glucose <56 mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L), it is expected 
that there will be a high proportion of subjects with no events.  A zero-inflated negative 
binomial (ZINB) regression model will be fitted in addition to the NB model, as the ZINB
model might provide a better fitting for count data with excessive zeros.  The ZINB model 
supposes two data-generating mechanisms, one generating zeros and one generating the full 
range of counts.  Under the ZINB model, the binary model component will include a term for 
treatment and will use a logit link function, and the negative binomial model component will 
include the same terms as included in the standard non-inflated NB model.
The Vuong test [27] will be used as the fit test for the ZINB model against the non-inflated 
NB model.  If the p-value of the Vuong test is <0.10, the ZINB regression model will be the 
primary model.  Because the ZINB model has interpretations for a subpopulation at risk and 
a non-susceptible subpopulation, a marginalized ZINB model will be utilized to test the 
treatment effect on the overall event rate.
In the event that there are outlying observations, i.e., the numbers of events for some subjects 
are substantially greater than expected and markedly deviate from the count data for other 
subjects, the maximum likelihood estimators of the NB or ZINB regression model 
parameters may be biased.  The outliers may lead to overestimation of the standard errors and 
hence invalid inference.  Thus, if the estimate of dispersion after fitting, as measured by 
Pearson’s chi-square divided by the degrees of freedom, is greater than 1.25, then a robust 
M-estimator built to the primary regression model will be used for inference [28].  Details of 
the robust approach using M-estimation and sample SAS code will be provided in the sSAP.  
The analysis of the incidence of documented hypoglycemia involved in the secondary 
hypotheses will use the M&N method.  For subjects who discontinued from the study and 
had no hypoglycemia events prior to discontinuation, a proportional intensity model with 
Gamma frailty will be used to impute the missing hypoglycemia event data from 
discontinuation through the imputed Week 30 day, assuming missingness at random.  The 
proportional intensity model will include the same terms as for the NB regression model.  
Imputation of the missing event data for each subject will be based on the estimated intensity 
function conditional on the observed event data. Ten sets of imputations for the number of 
events from discontinuation through Week 30 will be obtained from the intensity function.  
Based on the complete data after imputations, subjects will be categorized as having ≥1 event
if the number of events during the entire 30-week treatment period is greater than 0; 
otherwise they will be categorized as having no events.
 
 
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To estimate the between-group difference in incidence, each of the 10 imputed data sets will 
be summarized to obtain the proportion of subjects having at least one event within each 
group.  The estimated proportions from the 10 imputed data sets will be combined using 
standard multiple imputation techniques proposed by Rubin [25] to yield an overall estimate 
of response rate and associated variance for each group. The estimated incidences and 
adjusted effective sample sizes [26] will then be used to obtain the confidence interval for 
between-group difference in incidence via M&N method, stratified by AHA treatment at 
screening.  
The analysis of the proportion of subjects achieving A1C <7.0% at Week 30 with no 
documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL will use the M&N method in 
conjunction with MI for missing A1C and hypoglycemia data.  The same imputation 
strategies will be used as described above.
Sensitivity analysis for the hypoglycemia related endpoints assuming MNAR will be 
performed.  Details of the model specifications, assumptions, and SAS implementation code 
will be provided in the sSAP.
As glycemic control might confound the assessment of the treatment benefit of continuing 
sitagliptin versus withdrawing sitagliptin on hypoglycemia risk, a longitudinal count 
regression model may be implemented to adjust for the most recently measured A1C value as 
an exploratory analysis.  The absolute hypoglycemia risk and risk ratio (continuing vs. 
withdrawing sitagliptin) controlling for A1C level will be assessed in relation to patient 
characteristics (e.g., race, sex, age) and A1C level.  Details of the model specifications, 
assumptions, and SAS implementation code will be provided in the sSAP.
Analyses of the primary and key secondary endpoints will also be performed to address the 
intention-to-treat (ITT) estimand.  The target population and endpoints for ITT will be the 
same as for the primary estimand.  However, the measure of intervention effect for ITT will 
be the difference (or ratio) in means at Week 30 comparing randomized treatments plus other 
AHAs (if initiated) regardless of whether treatment continued to Week 30. Statistical 
methods for ITT will be the same primary methods used for the primary estimand.
Table 9 summarizes the key efficacy analyses.
 
 
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Table 9  Analysis Strategy for Key Efficacy Variables
Endpoint
Primary vs. 
Supportive 
Approach†
Statistical 
Method‡
Analysis 
Population
Missing Data 
Approach
Endpoints for Primary Hypotheses
Change from baseline in A1C at Week 
30
(non-inferiority)
P
cLDA
FAS
Model-based
S
cLDA
FAS
PMM (tipping 
point)
S
cLDA
ITT
Model-based
Change from baseline in A1C at Week 
30
(superiority)
P
cLDA
FAS
Model-based
S
cLDA
FAS
PMM (tipping 
point)
S
cLDA
FAS
PMM (J2R)
S
cLDA
ITT
Model-based
Event rate of documented symptomatic 
hypoglycemia with BG ≤70 mg/dL
P
NBR
FAS
DAO
S
NBR
FAS
MI (MNAR)
S
NBR
ITT
DAO
Endpoints for Secondary Hypotheses
Incidence of documented symptomatic 
hypoglycemia with BG ≤70 mg/dL
P
M&N
FAS
MI (MAR)
S
M&N
FAS
MI (MNAR)
P
M&N
ITT
MI (MAR)
Event rate of documented symptomatic 
hypoglycemia with BG <56 mg/dL
P
NBR
FAS
DAO
S
NBR
FAS
MI (MNAR)
S
NBR
ITT
DAO
Incidence 
of 
documented 
hypoglycemia with BG ≤70 mg/dL
P
M&N
FAS
MI (MAR)
S
M&N
FAS
MI (MNAR)
S
M&N
ITT
MI (MAR)
Incidence of documented symptomatic 
hypoglycemia with BG <56 mg/dL
P
M&N
FAS
MI (MAR)
S
M&N
FAS
MI (MNAR)
S
M&N
ITT
MI (MAR)
Change from baseline in total daily 
insulin dose Week 30
P
LDA
FAS
Model-based 
S
LDA
FAS
PMM (J2R)
S
LDA
ITT
Model-based
Other Secondary Endpoints
Event 
rate 
of 
documented 
hypoglycemia with BG ≤70 mg/dL
P
NBR
FAS
DAO
Event 
rate 
of 
documented 
hypoglycemia with BG <56 mg/dL
P
NBR
FAS
DAO
Incidence 
of 
documented 
hypoglycemia with BG <56 mg/dL
P
M&N
FAS
MI (MAR)
Proportion of subjects with A1C < 
7.0% at Week 30
P
M&N
FAS
MI
S
M&N
AST
Missing=’not at 
goal’
Proportion of subjects with A1C <7.0% 
at Week 30 with no documented 
hypoglycemia with BG ≤70 mg/dL 
over 30 weeks
P
M&N
FAS
MI
Change from baseline in FPG at Week 
30
P
cLDA
FAS
Model-based
 
 
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Endpoint
Primary vs. 
Supportive 
Approach†
Statistical 
Method‡
Analysis 
Population
Missing Data 
Approach
† P=Primary approach; S=Supportive approach.
‡ For event rate endpoints with BG<56 mg/dL, ZINB will replace the standard non-inflated NB regression model if the p-
value from the Vuong test is <0.10.  Robust estimators will be used for inference if Pearson dispersion statistics is 
>1.25. 
AST=All Subjects Treated; BG=Blood Glucose; cLDA=Constrained Longitudinal Data Analysis; DAO = Data as 
Observed; FAS=Full Analysis Set;  FPG=Fasting Plasma Glucose; ITT=Intention to Treat; J2R=Jump to Reference; 
LDA=Longitudinal Data Analysis; MAR=missing at random; MI = Multiple Imputations; MNAR=missing not at 
random; M&N = Miettinen and Nurminen; NBR = Negative Binomial Regression; PMM = Pattern Mixture Model.
The strategy to address multiplicity issues with regard to multiple hypotheses is described in 
Section 8.8, Multiplicity.
Statistical Methods for Safety Analyses
8.6.2
Safety and tolerability will be assessed by clinical review of all relevant parameters including 
adverse events (AEs), laboratory tests, and vital signs.
The following analysis approaches will be used:

The primary analysis approach will consider on-treatment data and data from the 14-
day post-treatment follow-up.  

A secondary approach that applies only to AE summary measures, specific AEs, and 
serious AEs will include all data in the database after the first dose of double-blind 
study medication, with no exceptions.  
The analysis of safety results will follow a tiered approach (Table 10).  The tiers differ with 
respect to the analyses that will be performed.  Safety parameters or adverse experiences of 
special interest that are identified a priori constitute “Tier 1” safety endpoints that will be 
subject to inferential testing for statistical significance with p-values and 95% confidence 
intervals provided for between-group comparisons.  However, there are no “Tier 1” safety 
endpoints in this study.  Other safety parameters will be considered Tier 2 or Tier 3.  Tier 2 
parameters will be assessed via point estimates with 95% confidence intervals provided for 
between-group comparisons; only point estimates by treatment group will be provided for 
Tier 3 safety parameters.
Adverse events (specific terms as well as system organ class terms) and predefined limits of 
change in laboratory, and vital signs will be classified as belonging to "Tier 2" or "Tier 3", 
based on the number of events observed.  Membership in Tier 2 requires that at least 4 
subjects in any treatment group exhibit the event; all other adverse experiences and 
predefined limits of change (defined in Section 12.5) will belong to Tier 3.  For tier 2 events, 
95% confidence intervals will be provided for between-treatment differences in the 
percentage of subjects with events using the M&N method.
 
 
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The threshold of at least 4 events was chosen because the 95% confidence interval for the 
between-group difference in percent incidence will always include zero when treatment 
groups of equal size each have fewer than 4 events and thus would add little to the 
interpretation of potentially meaningful differences.  Because many 95% confidence intervals 
may be provided without adjustment for multiplicity, the confidence intervals should be 
regarded as a helpful descriptive measure to be used in review, not a formal method for 
assessing the statistical significance of the between-group differences in adverse experiences 
and predefined limits of change.
The broad clinical and laboratory AE categories consisting of the percentage of subjects with 
any AE, a drug-related AE, a serious AE, an AE which is both drug-related and serious, and 
who discontinued due to an AE, and selected hypoglycemia endpoints will also be considered 
Tier 2 endpoints.  
Continuous measures such as changes from baseline in laboratory and vital signs will be 
considered Tier 3 safety parameters.  Summary statistics for baseline, on-treatment, and 
change from baseline values will be provided by treatment group in table format.  In 
addition, summary statistics for the difference between treatment groups will also be 
provided, along with nominal p-values for between-group differences.  Mean change from 
baseline over time will be plotted with the corresponding standard errors. 
Table 10  Analysis Strategy for Safety Parameters
Safety Tier
Safety Endpoint†
95% CI for 
Treatment 
Comparison
Descriptive 
Statistics
Tier 2
Any AE
X
X
Any Serious AE
X
X
Any Drug-Related AE
X
X
Any Serious and Drug-Related AE
X
X
Discontinuation due to AE
X
X
Selected hypoglycemia endpoints
X
X
Specific AEs, SOCs, or PDLCs‡ (incidence ≥4 subjects 
in one of the treatment groups)
X
X
Tier 3
Specific AEs, SOCs or PDLCs‡ (incidence <4 subjects in 
all of the treatment groups)
X
Additional hypoglycemia endpoints
X
Change from Baseline Results (Laboratory 
measurements, Vital Signs)
X
† Adverse Experience references refer to both Clinical and Laboratory AEs.
‡ Includes only those endpoints not already pre-specified as Tier-2 endpoints.
Note: SOC=System Organ Class; PDLC=Pre-Defined Limit of Change; X = results will be provided.
Analysis of Hypoglycemia
The Tier 2 analysis for hypoglycemia will include the numbers and percentages of subjects 
experiencing one or more of each the following:

Documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L)

Documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L)

Documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 mmol/L)
 
 
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
Documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL (≤3.1 mmol/L)

Severe hypoglycemia, defined as any episode of hypoglycemia that required assistance, 
either medical or non-medical, regardless of whether such assistance was obtained, and 
regardless of biochemical documentation.  These events will be further sub-classified as:
-
Those that required medical assistance.  Hypoglycemia episodes that included a 
markedly depressed level of consciousness, loss of consciousness, or seizure will be 
classified as having required medical assistance, whether or not medical assistance 
was obtained
-
Those that required non-medical assistance to treat.

Any hypoglycemia, regardless of biochemical documentation.
The Tier 3 summary will include the distribution of number of events per subject and event 
rate (calculated as the total number of events divided by the total patient-years of exposure) 
for the hypoglycemia endpoints listed above.
Categorization of episodes by glucose level will be performed based on the units (mg/dL or 
mmol/L) in which the glucose measurements were recorded.
A listing including all episodes of hypoglycemia and a listing limited to severe hypoglycemia 
will be provided.  For each episode, the associated glucose level, symptoms, severity, and 
precipitating factors will be presented in the listing.
Demographic and Baseline Characteristics
8.6.3
The comparability of the treatment groups for each relevant characteristic will be assessed by 
the use of tables and/or graphs.  No statistical hypothesis tests will be performed on these 
characteristics.  The number and percentage of subjects screened, randomized, the primary 
reasons for screening failure, and the primary reason for discontinuation will be displayed.  
Demographic variables, baseline characteristics, primary and secondary diagnoses, and prior 
and concomitant therapies will be summarized by treatment either by descriptive statistics or 
categorical tables.  The following demographic/anthropometric, diabetes-related, and 
baseline efficacy variables will be summarized by treatment either by descriptive statistics or 
categorical tables.  Depending on the variable of interest, statistics such as sample size, mean, 
SD, median, range and proportion will be provided.

Continuous baseline demographic variables: age (years), weight (kg), height (cm), 
and body mass index (BMI; kg/m2)

Categorical baseline demographic variables: age, gender (male, female), and race 
(White, Black, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other 
Pacific Islander, or Multi-Racial), ethnicity (Hispanic/Latino or not)

Baseline A1C, and distribution of A1C at baseline (A1C levels <8%, ≥8% and <9%, 
≥9%)

Baseline FPG

Time since diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (years)

Geographic region (North America, Europe, Other)
 
 
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
AHA treatment at screening (Met + DPP-4i, Met + DPP-4i + SU, Met + SU).
The above summaries will be provided for all subjects who received at least one dose of 
study therapy.
Interim Analyses
8.7
No interim analyses are planned for this study.
Multiplicity
8.8
Figure 2 shows the multiplicity strategy for the overall control of type I error at 0.05 level, 
using the graphical approach of Maurer and Bretz [20].  All tests will be two-sided, except 
that a one-sided test will be conducted for A1C non-inferiority.
Among the 3 primary hypotheses including A1C non-inferiority (H1A), A1C superiority 
(H1B), and event rate for documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 
mg/dL (H2), H1A will be tested first (at =0.025, one-sided).  If the test for H1A is 
successful and A1C non-inferiority is declared, then the full =0.05 (two-sided) will be split
in half (with weights, , equal 0.5 for both) and passed to H1B and H2.   If the test for H1B 
is successful, the allocated to H1B will be fully passed to H2.  If the test for H2 is 
successful, the finally allocated to H2 will be fully passed to the secondary hypotheses.  
That is, if the test for H2 but not H1B is successful, the passed onto the secondary 
hypotheses will be 0.025.  If the tests for both H1B and H2 are successful, the passed onto 
the secondary hypotheses will be 0.05.  
The study will be declared successful if the test for H1A is successful as well as H1B or H2; 
that is, if compared with withdrawing sitagliptin, continuing sitagliptin demonstrates non-
inferior A1C reduction plus superior A1C reduction or reduction in the event rate of 
documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL.  
The secondary hypotheses will be tested in a fixed sequence in the following order, using the 
level that was used for testing H2:

Incidence of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL
(≤3.9 mmol/L)

Event rate of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL
(≤3.1 mmol/L)

Incidence of documented hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL (≤3.9 
mmol/L)

Incidence of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose <56 mg/dL
(≤3.1 mmol/L)

Change from baseline in total daily insulin dose.
 
 
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Figure 2  Multiplicity Strategy
Sample Size and Power Calculations
8.9
Sample Size and Power for Change from Baseline in A1C
8.9.1
The study will randomize approximately 700 subjects (in a 1:1 ratio) into the continuing 
sitagliptin and withdrawing sitagliptin groups.  
 
 
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With the planned sample size, this study will provide >99% power to establish that 
continuing sitagliptin is non-inferior to withdrawing sitagliptin in lowering A1C at =0.025 
level (one-sided), assuming an underlying treatment difference of -0.3%.  The power and 
sample sizes are based on the following assumptions derived from the insulin-sparing study 
(MK-0431 P260) and two metformin add-on studies in the sitagliptin program (MK-0431 
P024 and MK-0431 P803): 
1) The cumulative attrition rates for each treatment group at Weeks 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 are 
0.06, 0.08, 0.11, 0.14, and 0.20.
2) The conditional correlation matrix at Weeks 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 is:
1.0
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.6
0.8
1.0
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.8
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.6
0.7
0.9
1.0
0.9
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
3) A conditional standard deviation of 1.0%.
The calculation is based on the two-sample t-test with an effective sample size of 311 
subjects per group and was carried out using SAS v9.3.  The minimum criterion for success 
is that the upper bound of the two-sided 95% CI of the difference is less than 0.3% (before 
rounding).  Given the assumed SD of changes from baseline in A1C, the half-width of the 
95% CI for the between-group difference (continuing vs. withdrawing sitagliptin) is expected 
to be 0.16%; thus, if the observed between-group difference is less than 0.14%, the success 
criterion for non-inferiority will be met. 
For the A1C superiority hypothesis, at =0.025 (two-sided), the study will have 93% to 
declare that continuing sitagliptin is superior to withdrawing sitagliptin in A1C-lowering, if 
the underlying (continuing sitagliptin minus withdrawing sitagliptin) between-group 
difference is  -0.30%.  
Table 11 shows the power for A1C superiority under different assumptions.  
Table 11  Power (%) for A1C (%) Superiority Under Various Assumptions
-level
True 
Difference
Conditional Standard 
Deviation
Power (%)
97.5% CI
Half-Width
0.025
-0.30
1.0
93
0.18
-0.25
1.0
81
0.18
-0.30
0.9
97
0.16
-0.25
0.9
89
0.16
For symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL, a rate ratio of 0.5 was 
observed in MK-0431 P260 (the insulin-sparing study).  A sample size of 350/group will 
provide 89% power to detect a rate ratio of 0.6 for at =0.025 and 93% power at =0.05.  
Table 12 shows the power for this endpoint under different assumptions and at -level of 
0.025 and 0.05. 
 
 
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Table 12  Power for Event Rate of Symptomatic Hypoglycemia with Blood Glucose ≤70 
mg/dL
-level
Event Rate
(number of events per patient per day)
(withdrawing sitagliptin)
Rate Ratio
(continuing vs. withdrawing)
Power (%)
0.025
0.02
0.50
>99
0.60
89
0.65
76
0.05
0.02
0.50
>99
0.60
93
0.65
84
Table 13 below shows the projected power for endpoints in the primary and secondary 
hypotheses following the order of testing as specified in Section 8.8, Multiplicity. 
Table 13  Summary of Power (%) for Endpoints in Primary and Secondary Hypotheses 
Endpoints for the Primary Hypothesis
Marginal  Power
=0.05
=0.025
Change from baseline in A1C at Week 30 (non-inferiority)
>99%
−
Change from baseline in A1C at Week 30 (superiority)
−
93%
Event rate of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose 
≤70 mg/dL over 30 weeks
93%
89%
Endpoints for the Secondary Hypotheses
Incidence of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia  ≤70 mg/dL over 30 
weeks
88%
82%
Event rate of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia  <56 mg/dL over 30 
weeks
81 to 96%
72 to 93%
Incidence of documented hypoglycemia  ≤70 mg/dL over 30 weeks
86%
79%
Incidence of documented symptomatic hypoglycemia  <56 mg/dL over 30 
weeks
84%
77%
Change from baseline in total daily insulin dose at Week 30
84%
77%
Subgroup Analyses and Effect of Baseline Factors
8.10
To assess whether the treatment effect at Week 30 is consistent across various subgroups, 
point estimates and 95% CIs for the between-group difference for the change from baseline 
in A1C and ratio of the event rate of symptomatic hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 
mg/dL will be provided within each category of the following classification variables:

Baseline A1C levels (<9.0%, ≥9.0%)

Age categories (<65 years old,  ≥65 years old)

Sex (female, male)

Region (North America, Europe, Other)

AHA treatment at screening (Met + DPP-4i, Met + DPP-4i + SU, Met + SU).
No p-values will be provided for assessing treatment-by-subgroup interaction.
 
 
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The consistency of the treatment effect in A1C will be assessed in the context of a repeated 
measures ANCOVA (RM ANCOVA) method, which is a generalization of the standard 
ANCOVA to accommodate repeated measurements. The RM ANCOVA model will include 
terms for treatment, AHA treatment at screening, baseline value for A1C, subgroup, and 
treatment-by-subgroup interaction.  Time is treated as a categorical variable and time-specific 
versions of each term listed above at each week will be used to acknowledge the repeated 
nature of the measurements. An unstructured covariance matrix will be used to model the 
correlation among repeated measurements. For subgroup analyses based on factors that are 
already in the main model, the respective term will appear in the model only once. Treatment 
effects and nominal 95% confidence intervals by category for the classification variables 
listed above will be reported as well as presented graphically.
Formal statistical testing of 
treatment-by-subgroup interactions will not be performed.
The consistency of the treatment effect in the event rate of documented symptomatic 
hypoglycemia with blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL will be assessed using a negative binomial 
model, with terms for treatment, baseline value for A1C, baseline body weight, AHA 
treatment at screening, race, region, subgroup, and treatment-by-subgroup interaction, and an 
offset for time of follow-up (on a natural log scale).  For subgroup analyses based on factors 
that are already in the main model, the respective term will appear in the model only once.  
Treatment effects and nominal 95% confidence intervals by category for the classification 
variables listed above will be reported as well as presented graphically.
Compliance (Medication Adherence)
8.11
The computation of compliance in the AST population will be based on the study medication 
case report form.
Both the assigned treatment and any matching placebo tablets will be 
included in the compliance calculation.
For each subject, percent compliance will be calculated using the following formula:
Compliance =
Number of Compliant Days
× 100%.
Number of Days in the Double-blind Treatment Period
A day within the Double-blind Treatment period will be considered a compliant day if the 
subject was compliant with study medication on that day, i.e., if the subject took exactly one 
1 tablet of sitagliptin 100 mg or sitagliptin-matching placebo.
If the study medication eCRF indicates general compliance problems with any blinded 
therapy, the subject will be considered non-compliant for that day regardless of the number 
of tablets reported.
The "Number of Days in Double-blind Treatment Period" is defined for each subject as the 
total number of days from the first dose of double-blind study medication to the last day of 
study medication for sitagliptin or sitagliptin-matching placebo. 
Summary statistics will be provided on percent compliance by treatment group.
 
 
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Extent of Exposure
8.12
The extent of exposure to double-blinded study treatment will be evaluated by summary 
statistics (N, mean, median, standard deviation and range) and frequencies for the "Number 
of Days on Therapy" by treatment group, based on daily dosing records on the study 
medication eCRF.
9.0 LABELING, PACKAGING,
STORAGE AND RETURN OF CLINICAL 
SUPPLIES
Investigational Product
9.1
The investigator shall take responsibility for and shall take all steps to maintain appropriate 
records and ensure appropriate supply, storage, handling, distribution and usage of 
investigational product in accordance with the protocol and any applicable laws and 
regulations.
Clinical Supplies will be provided by the Sponsor as summarized in Table 14.
Clinical supplies will be packaged to support enrollment and replacement subjects as 
required.  When a replacement subject is required, the Sponsor or designee needs to be 
contacted prior to dosing the replacement supplies.
Table 14  Product Descriptions
Product Name & Potency
Dosage Form
Sitagliptin 100 mg
Tablet
Placebo to match Sitagliptin 100mg
Tablet
All placebos were created by the Sponsor to match the active product.
All other supplies not indicated in Table 14 above will be provided centrally by the Sponsor 
or locally by the trial site, subsidiary or designee, depending on local country operational or 
regulatory requirements.
For any commercially available product that is provided by the trial site, subsidiary or 
designee every attempt will be made to source these supplies from a single lot/batch number. 
The trial site will be responsible for recording the lot number, manufacturer and expiry date 
of any locally purchased product.
Packaging and Labeling Information
9.2
Clinical supplies will be affixed with a clinical label in accordance with regulatory 
requirements.
Subjects switching from another DPP-4 inhibitor or a sulfonylurea to sitagliptin at Visit 2 
will receive open-label supplies in finished good bottles containing 63 Sitagliptin 100 mg 
tablets. 
All subjects will receive double blind supplies every 6 weeks throughout the 30-week double 
blind treatment period in finished good bottles containing either 50 sitagliptin tablets or 50 
sitagliptin-matching placebo tablets.
 
 
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Clinical Supplies Disclosure
9.3
The emergency unblinding call center will use the treatment/randomization schedule for the 
trial to unblind subjects and to unmask treatment identity.  In the event that the emergency 
unblinding call center is not available for a given site in this trial, the central electronic 
treatment allocation/randomization system (IVRS/IWRS) should be used in order to unblind 
subjects and to unmask treatment/vaccine identity. The Sponsor will not provide random 
code/disclosure envelopes or lists with the clinical supplies.
Treatment identification information is to be unmasked ONLY if necessary for the welfare of 
the subject.  Every effort should be made not to unblind the subject unless necessary. 
In the event that unblinding has occurred, the circumstances around the unblinding (e.g., date 
and reason) must be documented promptly, and the Sponsor Clinical Director notified as 
soon as possible.  Only the principal investigator or delegate and the respective subject’s 
code should be unblinded.  Trial site personnel and Sponsor personnel directly associated 
with the conduct of the trial should not be unblinded.
Storage and Handling Requirements
9.4
Clinical supplies must be stored in a secure, limited-access location under the storage 
conditions specified on the label.  
Receipt and dispensing of trial medication must be recorded by an authorized person at the 
trial site.
Clinical supplies may not be used for any purpose other than that stated in the protocol.
Discard/Destruction/Returns and Reconciliation
9.5
The investigator is responsible for keeping accurate records of the clinical supplies received 
from the Sponsor or designee, the amount dispensed to and returned by the subjects and the 
amount remaining at the conclusion of the trial. For all trial sites, the local country Sponsor 
personnel or designee will provide appropriate documentation that must be completed for 
drug accountability and return, or local discard and destruction if appropriate.   Where local 
discard and destruction is appropriate, the investigator is responsible for ensuring that a local 
discard/destruction procedure is documented.
Standard Policies
9.6
Trial 
site 
personnel 
will 
have 
access 
to 
a 
central 
electronic 
treatment 
allocation/randomization system (IVRS/IWRS system) to allocate subjects, to assign 
treatment to subjects and to manage the distribution of clinical supplies. Each person 
accessing the IVRS system must be assigned an individual unique PIN.  They must use only 
their assigned PIN to access the system, and they must not share their assigned PIN with 
anyone.
 
 
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10.0 ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY DETAILS
Confidentiality
10.1
Confidentiality of Data
10.1.1
By signing this protocol, the investigator affirms to the Sponsor that information furnished to 
the investigator by the Sponsor will be maintained in confidence, and such information will 
be divulged to the institutional review board, ethics review committee (IRB/ERC) or similar 
or expert committee; affiliated institution and employees, only under an appropriate 
understanding of confidentiality with such board or committee, affiliated institution and 
employees.  Data generated by this trial will be considered confidential by the investigator, 
except to the extent that it is included in a publication as provided in the Publications section 
of this protocol.
Confidentiality of Subject Records
10.1.2
By signing this protocol, the investigator agrees that the Sponsor (or Sponsor representative), 
IRB/ERC, or regulatory authority representatives may consult and/or copy trial documents in 
order to verify worksheet/case report form data.  By signing the consent form, the subject 
agrees to this process.  If trial documents will be photocopied during the process of verifying 
worksheet/case report form information, the subject will be identified by unique code only; 
full names/initials will be masked prior to transmission to the Sponsor.
By signing this protocol, the investigator agrees to treat all subject data used and disclosed in 
connection with this trial in accordance with all applicable privacy laws, rules and 
regulations.
Confidentiality of Investigator Information
10.1.3
By signing this protocol, the investigator recognizes that certain personal identifying 
information with respect to the investigator, and all subinvestigators and trial site personnel, 
may be used and disclosed for trial management purposes, as part of a regulatory 
submissions, and as required by law.  This information may include:
1. name, address, telephone number and e-mail address;
2. hospital or clinic address and telephone number;
3. curriculum vitae or other summary of qualifications and credentials; and
4. other professional documentation.
Consistent with the purposes described above, this information may be transmitted to the 
Sponsor, and subsidiaries, affiliates and agents of the Sponsor, in your country and other 
countries, including countries that do not have laws protecting such information.  
Additionally, the investigator’s name and business contact information may be included 
when reporting certain serious adverse events to regulatory authorities or to other 
investigators.  By signing this protocol, the investigator expressly consents to these uses and 
disclosures.
 
 
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If this is a multicenter trial, in order to facilitate contact between investigators, the Sponsor 
may share an investigator’s name and contact information with other participating 
investigators upon request.
Confidentiality of IRB/IEC Information
10.1.4
The Sponsor is required to record the name and address of each IRB/IEC member that 
reviews and approves this trial.  The Sponsor is also required to document that each IRB/IEC 
meets regulatory and ICH GCP requirements by requesting and maintaining records of the 
names and qualifications of the IRB/IEC members and to make these records available for 
regulatory agency review upon request by those agencies.
Compliance with Financial Disclosure Requirements
10.2
Financial Disclosure requirements are outlined in the US Food and Drug Administration 
Regulations, Financial Disclosure by Clinical Investigators (21 CFR Part 54).  It is the 
Sponsor's responsibility to determine, based on these regulations, whether a request for 
Financial Disclosure information is required.  It is the investigator's/subinvestigator's 
responsibility to comply with any such request.  
The investigator/subinvestigator(s) agree, if requested by the Sponsor in accordance with 21 
CFR Part 54, to provide his/her financial interests in and/or arrangements with the Sponsor to 
allow for the submission of complete and accurate certification and disclosure statements.  
The investigator/subinvestigator(s) further agree to provide this information on a 
Certification/Disclosure Form, commonly known as a financial disclosure form, provided by 
the Sponsor. The investigator/subinvestigator(s) also consent to the transmission of this 
information to the Sponsor in the United States for these purposes.  This may involve the 
transmission of information to countries that do not have laws protecting personal data.
Compliance with Law, Audit and Debarment
10.3
By signing this protocol, the investigator agrees to conduct the trial in an efficient and 
diligent manner and in conformance with this protocol; generally accepted standards of Good 
Clinical Practice (e.g., International Conference on Harmonization of Technical 
Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use Good Clinical Practice: 
Consolidated Guideline and other generally accepted standards of good clinical practice); and 
all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to the conduct of the 
clinical trial.
The Code of Conduct, a collection of goals and considerations that govern the ethical and 
scientific conduct of clinical investigations sponsored by Merck, is provided in Section 12.1 -
Merck Code of Conduct for Clinical Trials.
The investigator also agrees to allow monitoring, audits, IRB/ERC review and regulatory 
authority inspection of trial-related documents and procedures and provide for direct access 
to all trial-related source data and documents.
The investigator agrees not to seek reimbursement from subjects, their insurance providers or 
from government programs for procedures included as part of the trial reimbursed to the 
investigator by the Sponsor.
 
 
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The investigator shall prepare and maintain complete and accurate trial documentation in 
compliance with Good Clinical Practice standards and applicable federal, state and local 
laws, rules and regulations; and, for each subject participating in the trial, provide all data, 
and, upon completion or termination of the clinical trial, submit any other reports to the 
Sponsor as required by this protocol or as otherwise required pursuant to any agreement with 
the Sponsor.
Trial documentation will be promptly and fully disclosed to the Sponsor by the investigator 
upon request and also shall be made available at the trial site upon request for inspection, 
copying, review and audit at reasonable times by representatives of the Sponsor or any 
regulatory authorities.  The investigator agrees to promptly take any reasonable steps that are 
requested by the Sponsor as a result of an audit to cure deficiencies in the trial documentation 
and worksheets/case report forms.
The investigator must maintain copies of all documentation and records relating to the 
conduct of the trial in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.  This 
documentation includes, but is not limited to, the protocol, worksheets/case report forms, 
advertising for subject participation, adverse event reports, subject source data, 
correspondence with regulatory authorities and IRBs/ERCs, consent forms, investigator’s 
curricula vitae, monitor visit logs, laboratory reference ranges, laboratory certification or 
quality control procedures and laboratory director curriculum vitae. By signing this protocol, 
the investigator agrees that documentation shall be retained until at least 2 years after the last 
approval of a marketing application in an ICH region or until there are no pending or 
contemplated marketing applications in an ICH region or until at least 2 years have elapsed 
since the formal discontinuation of clinical development of the investigational product.  
Because the clinical development and marketing application process is variable, it is 
anticipated that the retention period can be up to 15 years or longer after protocol database 
lock. The Sponsor will determine the minimum retention period and notify the investigator 
when documents may be destroyed.  The Sponsor will determine the minimum retention 
period and upon request, will provide guidance to the investigator when documents no longer 
need to be retained.  The sponsor also recognizes that documents may need to be retained for 
a longer period if required by local regulatory requirements. All trial documents shall be 
made available if required by relevant regulatory authorities. The investigator must consult 
with and obtain written approval by the Sponsor prior to destroying trial and/or subject files.  
ICH Good Clinical Practice guidelines recommend that the investigator inform the subject’s 
primary physician about the subject’s participation in the trial if the subject has a primary 
physician and if the subject agrees to the primary physician being informed.
The investigator will promptly inform the Sponsor of any regulatory authority inspection 
conducted for this trial.
Persons debarred from conducting or working on clinical trials by any court or regulatory 
authority will not be allowed to conduct or work on this Sponsor’s trials.  The investigator 
will immediately disclose in writing to the Sponsor if any person who is involved in 
conducting the trial is debarred or if any proceeding for debarment is pending or, to the best 
of the investigator’s knowledge, threatened.
In the event the Sponsor prematurely terminates a particular trial site, the Sponsor will 
promptly notify that trial site’s IRB/IEC.
 
 
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According to European legislation, a Sponsor must designate an overall coordinating 
investigator for a multi-center trial (including multinational).  When more than one trial site 
is open in an EU country, Merck, as the Sponsor, will designate, per country, a national 
principal coordinator (Protocol CI), responsible for coordinating the work of the principal 
investigators at the different trial sites in that Member State, according to national 
regulations.  For a single-center trial, the Protocol CI is the principal investigator.  In 
addition, the Sponsor must designate a principal or coordinating investigator to review the 
trial report that summarizes the trial results and confirm that, to the best of his/her 
knowledge, the report accurately describes the conduct and results of the trial [Clinical Study 
Report (CSR) CI].  The Sponsor may consider one or more factors in the selection of the 
individual to serve as the Protocol CI and or CSR CI (e.g., availability of the CI during the 
anticipated review process, thorough understanding of clinical trial methods, appropriate 
enrollment of subject cohort, timely achievement of trial milestones).  The Protocol CI must 
be a participating trial investigator.
Compliance with Trial Registration and Results Posting Requirements
10.4
Under the terms of the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA) of 2007, 
and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) clinical trial Directive 2001/20/EC, the Sponsor 
of the trial is solely responsible for determining whether the trial and its results are subject to 
the requirements for submission to http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, www.clinicaltrialregister.eu
or other local registries. Merck, as Sponsor of this trial, will review this protocol and submit 
the information necessary to fulfill these requirements. Merck entries are not limited to 
FDAAA or the EMA clinical trials directive mandated trials. Information posted will allow 
subjects to identify potentially appropriate trials for their disease conditions and pursue 
participation by calling a central contact number for further information on appropriate trial 
locations and trial site contact information.
By signing this protocol, the investigator acknowledges that the statutory obligations under 
FDAAA, the EMA clinical trials directive or other locally mandated registries are that of the 
Sponsor and agrees not to submit any information about this trial or its results to those 
registries.
Quality Management System
10.5
By signing this protocol, the Sponsor agrees to be responsible for implementing and 
maintaining a quality management system with written development procedures and 
functional area standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that trials are conducted and 
data are generated, documented, and reported in compliance with the protocol, accepted 
standards of Good Clinical Practice, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and 
regulations relating to the conduct of the clinical trial.
Data Management
10.6
The investigator or qualified designee is responsible for recording and verifying the accuracy 
of subject data.  By signing this protocol, the investigator acknowledges that his/her 
electronic signature is the legally binding equivalent of a written signature.  By entering 
his/her electronic signature, the investigator confirms that all recorded data have been 
verified as accurate.
 
 
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Detailed information regarding Data Management procedures for this protocol will be 
provided separately.
Publications
10.7
This trial is intended for publication, even if terminated prematurely. Publication may include 
any or all of the following: posting of a synopsis online, abstract and/or presentation at a 
scientific conference, or publication of a full manuscript.  The Sponsor will work with the 
authors to submit a manuscript describing trial results within 12 months after the last data 
become available, which may take up to several months after the last subject visit in some 
cases such as vaccine trials.  However, manuscript submission timelines may be extended on 
OTC trials.  For trials intended for pediatric-related regulatory filings, the investigator agrees 
to delay publication of the trial results until the Sponsor notifies the investigator that all 
relevant regulatory authority decisions on the trial drug have been made with regard to 
pediatric-related regulatory filings. Merck will post a synopsis of trial results for approved 
products on www.clinicaltrials.gov by 12 months after the last subject's last visit for the 
primary outcome, 12 months after the decision to discontinue development, or product 
marketing (dispensed, administered, delivered or promoted), whichever is later.
These timelines may be extended for products that are not yet marketed, if additional time is 
needed for analysis, to protect intellectual property, or to comply with confidentiality 
agreements with other parties.  Authors of the primary results manuscript will be provided 
the complete results from the Clinical Study Report, subject to the confidentiality agreement. 
When a manuscript is submitted to a biomedical journal, the Sponsor's policy is to also 
include the protocol and statistical analysis plan to facilitate the peer and editorial review of 
the manuscript.  If the manuscript is subsequently accepted for publication, the Sponsor will 
allow the journal, if it so desires, to post on its website the key sections of the protocol that 
are relevant to evaluating the trial, specifically those sections describing the trial objectives
and hypotheses, the subject inclusion and exclusion criteria, the trial design and procedures, 
the efficacy and safety measures, the statistical analysis plan, and any amendments relating to 
those sections.  The Sponsor reserves the right to redact proprietary information.
For multicenter trials, subsequent to the multicenter publication (or after public disclosure of 
the results online at www.clinicaltrials.gov if a multicenter manuscript is not planned), an 
investigator and his/her colleagues may publish their data independently.  In most cases, 
publication of individual trial site data does not add value to complete multicenter results, 
due to statistical concerns.  In rare cases, publication of single trial site data prior to the main 
paper may be of value.  Limitations of single trial site observations in a multicenter trial 
should always be described in such a manuscript.
 
 
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Authorship credit should be based on 1) substantial contributions to conception and design, 
or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; 2) drafting the article or revising 
it critically for important intellectual content; and 3) final approval of the version to be 
published. Authors must meet conditions 1, 2 and 3.  Significant contributions to trial 
execution may also be taken into account to determine authorship, provided that 
contributions have also been made to all three of the preceding authorship criteria.  Although 
publication planning may begin before conducting the trial, final decisions on authorship and 
the order of authors’ names will be made based on participation and actual contributions to 
the trial and writing, as discussed above. The first author is responsible for defending the 
integrity of the data, method(s) of data analysis and the scientific content of the manuscript.
The Sponsor must have the opportunity to review all proposed abstracts, manuscripts or 
presentations regarding this trial 45 days prior to submission for publication/presentation. 
Any information identified by the Sponsor as confidential must be deleted prior to 
submission; this confidentiality does not include efficacy and safety results. Sponsor review 
can be expedited to meet publication timelines.
11.0 LIST OF REFERENCES
1. Turner RC, Cull CA, Frighi V, Holman RR. Glycemic control with diet, sulfonylurea, 
metformin, or insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.  Progressive requirement 
for multiple therapies (UKPDS 49). JAMA 1999;281(21):2005-12.
2. American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes - 2015. Diabetes 
Care. 2015 Jan;38 Suppl 1:S8-S16.
3. Riddle MC. Combined therapy with insulin plus oral agents: is there any advantage? An 
argument in favor. Diabetes Care. 2008 Feb;31 Suppl 2:S125-30.
4. Wright A, Burden AC, Paisey RB, Cull CA, Holman RR. Sulfonylurea inadequacy: 
efficacy of addition of insulin over 6 years in patients with type 2 diabetes in the U.K. 
Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS 57). Diabetes Care. 2002 Feb;25(2):330-6.
5. Riddle MC, Rosenstock J, Gerich J. The treat-to-target trial. Diabetes Care 
2003;26(11):3080-6.
6. Raskin P, Allen E, Hollander P, Lewin A, Gabbay RA, Hu P. Initiating insulin therapy in 
type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2005;28(2):260-5.
7. Janka HU, Plewe G, Riddle MC, Kliebe-Frisch C, Schweitzer MA, Yki-Järvinen H. 
Comparison of basal insulin added to oral agents versus twice-daily premixed insulin as 
initial insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2005;28(2):254-9.
8. Klein R, Klein BEK, Moss SE, Cruickshanks KJ. The Medical Management of 
Hyperglycemia Over a 10-Year Period in People With Diabetes. Diabetes Care 
1996;19(7):744-50.
9. Pontiroli AE, Miele L, Morabito A. Increase of body weight during the first year of 
intensive insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis. 
Diabetes Obes Metab 2011;13(11):1008-19.
10. Rubin DJ, Rybin D, Doros G, McDonnell ME. Weight-Based, Insulin Dose-Related 
Hypoglycemia in Hospitalized Patients With Diabetes. Diab Care 2011;34(8):1723-8.
 
 
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11. Mathieu C, Shankar RR, Lorber D, Umpierrez G, Wu F, Xu L, et al. A Randomized 
Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Co-Administration of Sitagliptin 
with Intensively Titrated Insulin Glargine. Diabetes Ther. 2015 Mar 28. [Epub ahead of 
print].
12. Linjawi S, Sothiratnam R, Sari R, Andersen H, Hiort LC, Rao P. The study of once- and 
twice-daily biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) with sitagliptin, and twice-daily BIAsp 
30 without sitagliptin, in patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled on sitagliptin and 
metformin-The Sit2Mix trial. Prim Care Diabetes. 2015 Oct;9(5):370-6.
13. Wan H, Zhao D, Shen J, Lu L, Zhang T, Chen Z. Comparison of the effects of continuous 
subcutaneous insulin infusion and add-on therapy with sitagliptin in patients with newly 
diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Diabetes Res. 2016;2016:9849328.
14. Yki-Jarvinen H, Juurinen L, Alvarsson M, Bystedt T, Caldwell I, Davies M, et al. Initiate 
Insulin by Aggressive Titration and Education (INITIATE): a randomized study to 
compare initiation of insulin combination therapy in type 2 diabetic patients individually 
and in groups. Diabetes Care. 2007 Jun;30(6):1364-9.
15. Seaquist ER, Anderson J, Childs B, Cryer P, Dagogo-Jack S, Fish L, et al. Hypoglycemia 
and diabetes: a report of a workgroup of the American Diabetes Association and the 
Endocrine Society. Diabetes Care. 2013 May;36(5):1384-95. 
16. Muchmore DB, Heinemann L, Tamborlane W, Wu XW, Fleming A. Assessing Rates of 
Hypoglycemia as an End Point in Clinical Trials. Diabetes Care. 2015 Oct;38(10):e160-1. 
17. American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes - 2015. Diabetes 
Care. 2015 Jan;38 Suppl 1:S41-S48.
18. Cook RJ, Lawless JF. Analysis of repeated events. Stat Methods Med Res. 2002 
Apr;11(2):141-66. 
19. Miettinen O, Nurminen M. Comparative analysis of two rates. Stat Med 1985;4:213-26. 
20. Maurer W, Bretz F. Multiple testing in group sequential trials using graphical 
approaches. Stat Biopharm Res 2013;5(4):311-20. 
21. Liang KY, Zeger SL. Longitudinal data analysis of continuous and discrete responses for 
pre-post designs. Sankhya: The Indian Journal of Statistics 2000;62:134-48. 
22. Ratitch B, O'Kelly M, Tosiello R. Missing data in clinical trials: from clinical 
assumptions to statistical analysis using pattern mixture models. Pharm Stat. 2013 Nov-
Dec;12(6):337-47. 
23. Carpenter JR, Roger JH, Kenward MG. Analysis of longitudinal trials with protocol 
deviation: a framework for relevant, accessible assumptions, and inference via multiple 
imputation. J Biopharm Stat. 2013;23(6):1352-71. 
24. Liu GF, Pang L. On Analysis of Longitudinal Clinical Trials with Missing Data Using 
Reference-Based Imputation. J Biopharm Stat. 2015 Sep 29. [Epub ahead of print].
25. Rubin DB. Multiple Imputation for Nonresponse in Surveys.  Toronto: John Wiley & 
Sons, Inc.; c1987. Front Matter, Preface and Contents; p. iii-xxix.
 
 
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26. Li X, Mehrotra DV, Barnard J. Analysis of incomplete longitudinal binary data using 
multiple imputation. Stat Med 2006;25(12):2107-24. 
27. Desmarais BA, Harden JJ. Testing for zero inflation in count models: bias correction for 
the Vuong test. Stata J. 2013;13(4):810-35.
28. Aeberhard WH, Cantoni E, Heritier S. Robust inference in the negative binomial 
regression model with an application to falls data. Biometrics. 2014 Dec;70(4):920-31.
 
 
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12.0 APPENDICES
Merck Code of Conduct for Clinical Trials
12.1
Merck*
Code of Conduct for Clinical Trials
I.
Introduction
A. Purpose
Merck, through its subsidiaries, conducts clinical trials worldwide to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of our 
products. As such, we are committed to designing, implementing, conducting, analyzing and reporting these trials in 
compliance with the highest ethical and scientific standards. Protection of subject safety is the overriding concern in 
the design of clinical trials. In all cases, Merck clinical trials will be conducted in compliance with local and/or 
national regulations and in accordance with the ethical principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki. 
B. Scope
Such standards shall be endorsed for all clinical interventional investigations sponsored by Merck irrespective of the 
party (parties) employed for their execution (e.g., contract research organizations, collaborative research efforts). This 
Code is not intended to apply to trials which are observational in nature, or which are retrospective. Further, this Code 
does not apply to investigator-initiated trials which are not under the control of Merck.
II. Scientific Issues
A. Trial Conduct
1. Trial Design
Except for pilot or estimation trials, clinical trial protocols will be hypothesis-driven to assess safety, efficacy 
and/or pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic indices of Merck or comparator products.  Alternatively, Merck may 
conduct outcomes research trials, trials to assess or validate various endpoint measures, or trials to determine 
subject preferences, etc.  
The design (i.e., subject population, duration, statistical power) must be adequate to address the specific purpose 
of the trial.  Research subjects must meet protocol entry criteria to be enrolled in the trial. 
2. Site Selection
Merck selects investigative sites based on medical expertise, access to appropriate subjects, adequacy of facilities 
and staff, previous performance in Merck trials, as well as budgetary considerations.  Prior to trial initiation, sites 
are evaluated by Merck personnel to assess the ability to successfully conduct the trial.
3. Site Monitoring/Scientific Integrity
Trial sites are monitored to assess compliance with the trial protocol and general principles of Good Clinical 
Practice.  Merck reviews clinical data for accuracy, completeness and consistency. Data are verified versus source 
documentation according to standard operating procedures.  Per Merck policies and procedures, if fraud, 
misconduct or serious GCP-non-Compliance are suspected, the issues are promptly investigated. When necessary, 
the clinical site will be closed, the responsible regulatory authorities and ethics review committees notified and 
data disclosed accordingly. 
B. Publication and Authorship
To the extent scientifically appropriate, Merck seeks to publish the results of trials it conducts.  Some early phase or 
pilot trials are intended to be hypothesis-generating rather than hypothesis testing.  In such cases, publication of 
results may not be appropriate since the trial may be underpowered and the analyses complicated by statistical issues 
of multiplicity.
Merck’s policy on authorship is consistent with the requirements outlined in the ICH-Good Clinical Practice 
guidelines. In summary, authorship should reflect significant contribution to the design and conduct of the trial, 
performance or interpretation of the analysis, and/or writing of the manuscript.  All named authors must be able to 
defend the trial results and conclusions.  Merck funding of a trial will be acknowledged in publications. 
 
 
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III. Subject Protection
A. IRB/ERC review
All clinical trials will be reviewed and approved by an independent IRB/ERC before being initiated at each site.  
Significant changes or revisions to the protocol will be approved by the IRB/ERC prior to implementation, except that 
changes required urgently to protect subject safety and well-being may be enacted in anticipation of IRB/ERC 
approval. For each site, the IRB/ERC and Merck will approve the subject informed consent form. 
B. Safety
The guiding principle in decision-making in clinical trials is that subject welfare is of primary importance.  Potential 
subjects will be informed of the risks and benefits of, as well as alternatives to, trial participation. At a minimum, trial 
designs will take into account the local standard of care.  Subjects are never denied access to appropriate medical care 
based on participation in a Merck clinical trial. 
All participation in Merck clinical trials is voluntary.  Subjects are enrolled only after providing informed consent for 
participation.  Subjects may withdraw from a Merck trial at any time, without any influence on their access to, or 
receipt of, medical care that may otherwise be available to them.
C. Confidentiality
Merck is committed to safeguarding subject confidentiality, to the greatest extent possible. Unless required by law, 
only the investigator, sponsor (or representative) and/or regulatory authorities will have access to confidential medical 
records that might identify the research subject by name.  
D. Genomic Research
Genomic Research will only be conducted in accordance with informed consent and/or as specifically authorized by 
an Ethics Committee.
IV. Financial Considerations
A. Payments to Investigators
Clinical trials are time- and labor-intensive.  It is Merck’s policy to compensate investigators (or the sponsoring 
institution) in a fair manner for the work performed in support of Merck trials.   Merck does not pay incentives to 
enroll subjects in its trials.  However, when enrollment is particularly challenging, additional payments may be made 
to compensate for the time spent in extra recruiting efforts.
Merck does not pay for subject referrals.  However, Merck may compensate referring physicians for time spent on 
chart review to identify potentially eligible subjects.
B. Clinical Research Funding 
Informed consent forms will disclose that the trial is sponsored by Merck, and that the investigator or sponsoring 
institution is being paid or provided a grant for performing the trial.  However, the local IRB/ERC may wish to alter 
the wording of the disclosure statement to be consistent with financial practices at that institution.  As noted above, 
publications resulting from Merck trials will indicate Merck as a source of funding.
C. Funding for Travel and Other Requests
Funding of travel by investigators and support staff (e.g., to scientific meetings, investigator meetings, etc.) will be 
consistent with local guidelines and practices including, in the U.S., those established by the American Medical 
Association (AMA). 
V. Investigator Commitment
Investigators will be expected to review Merck’s Code of Conduct as an appendix to the trial protocol, and in signing 
the protocol, agree to support these ethical and scientific standards.
* In this document, "Merck" refers to Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. and Schering Corporation, each of which is a 
subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.  Merck is known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada.  As warranted by 
context, Merck also includes affiliates and subsidiaries of Merck & Co., Inc."
 
 
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Collection and Management of Specimens for Future Biomedical Research
12.2
1. Definitions
a.
Biomarker:  A biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a 
sign of a normal or abnormal process or of a condition or disease.  A biomarker may be 
used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition.1
b. Pharmacogenomics:  The investigation of variations of DNA and RNA characteristics as 
related to drug/vaccine response.2
c.
Pharmacogenetics:  A subset of pharmacogenomics, pharmacogenetics is the influence of 
variations in DNA sequence on drug/vaccine response.2
d. DNA:  Deoxyribonucleic acid.
e.
RNA:  Ribonucleic acid.
2. Scope of Future Biomedical Research
The specimens collected in this trial as outlined in Section 7.1.3.2 – Future Biomedical 
Research Sample Collection will be used to study various causes for how subjects may 
respond to a drug/vaccine.  Future biomedical research specimen(s) will be stored to 
provide a resource for future trials conducted by the Sponsor focused on the study of 
biomarkers responsible for how a drug/vaccine enters and is removed by the body, how a 
drug/vaccine works, other pathways a drug/vaccine may interact with, or other aspects of 
disease. The specimen(s) may be used for future assay development and/or drug/vaccine 
development.
It is now well recognized that information obtained from studying and testing clinical 
specimens offers unique opportunities to enhance our understanding of how individuals 
respond to drugs/vaccines, enhance our understanding of human disease and ultimately 
improve public health through development of novel treatments targeted to populations 
with the greatest need.  All specimens will be used by the Sponsor or those working for 
or with the Sponsor.
3. Summary of Procedures for Future Biomedical Research
a.
Subjects for Enrollment
All subjects enrolled in the clinical trial will be considered for enrollment in the 
Future Biomedical Research sub-trial.
b. Informed Consent
Informed consent for specimens (i.e., DNA, RNA, protein, etc.) will be obtained 
during screening for protocol enrollment from all subjects or legal guardians, at a trial 
visit by the investigator or his or her designate.  Informed consent for Future 
Biomedical Research should be presented to the subjects on Visit 1.  If delayed, 
present consent at next possible Subject Visit. Informed consent must be obtained 
prior to collection of all Future Biomedical Research specimens.  Consent forms 
signed by the subject will be kept at the clinical trial site under secure storage for 
regulatory reasons.  
 
 
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A template of each trial site’s approved informed consent will be stored in the 
Sponsor’s clinical document repository. Each consent will be assessed for appropriate 
specimen permissions.  
c.
eCRF Documentation for Future Biomedical Research Specimens
Documentation of patient consent for Future Biomedical Research will be captured in 
the electronic Case Report Forms (eCRFs). Any specimens for which such an 
informed consent cannot be verified will be destroyed.
d. Future Biomedical Research Specimen Collections
Collection of specimens for Future Biomedical Research will be performed as 
outlined in the trial flow chart. In general, if additional blood specimens are being 
collected for Future Biomedical Research, these will usually be obtained at a time 
when the subject is having blood drawn for other trial purposes.
4. Confidential Subject Information for Future Biomedical Research 
In order to optimize the research that can be conducted with Future Biomedical Research 
specimens, it is critical to link subject' clinical information with future test results. In fact 
little or no research can be conducted without connecting the clinical trial data to the 
specimen. The clinical data allow specific analyses to be conducted. Knowing subject 
characteristics like gender, age, medical history and treatment outcomes are critical to 
understanding clinical context of analytical results.
To maintain privacy of information collected from specimens obtained for Future 
Biomedical Research, the Sponsor has developed secure policies and procedures. All 
specimens will be single-coded per ICH E15 guidelines as described below. 
At the clinical trial site, unique codes will be placed on the Future Biomedical Research 
specimens for transfer to the storage facility.  This first code is a random number which 
does not contain any personally identifying information embedded within it. The link (or 
key) between subject identifiers and this first unique code will be held at the trial site.  No 
personal identifiers will appear on the specimen tube.  
5. Biorepository Specimen Usage
Specimens obtained for the Merck Biorepository will be used for analyses using good 
scientific practices.  Analyses utilizing the Future Biomedical Research specimens may 
be performed by the Sponsor, or an additional third party (e.g., a university investigator) 
designated by the Sponsor. The investigator conducting the analysis will follow the 
Sponsor’s privacy and confidentiality requirements. Any contracted third party analyses 
will conform to the specific scope of analysis outlined in this sub-trial. Future Biomedical 
Research specimens remaining with the third party after specific analysis is performed 
will be reported to the Sponsor.
 
 
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6. Withdrawal From Future Biomedical Research 
Subjects may withdraw their consent for Future Biomedical Research and have their 
specimens and all derivatives destroyed.   Subjects may withdraw consent at any time by 
contacting the principal investigator for the main trial. If medical records for the main 
trial are still available, the investigator will contact the Sponsor using the designated 
mailbox 
 and a form will be provided to 
obtain appropriate information to complete specimen withdrawal. Subsequently, the 
subject's specimens will be removed from the biorepository and be destroyed. 
Documentation will be sent to the investigator confirming the destruction. It is the 
responsibility of the investigator to inform the subject of completion of destruction.  Any 
analyses in progress at the time of request for destruction or already performed prior to 
the request being received by the Sponsor will continue to be used as part of the overall 
research trial data and results. No new analyses would be generated after the request is 
received.
In the event that the medical records for the main trial are no longer available (e.g., if the 
investigator is no longer required by regulatory authorities to retain the main trial 
records) or the specimens have been completely anonymized, there will no longer be a 
link between the subject’s personal information and their specimens. In this situation, the 
request for specimen destruction can not be processed. 
7. Retention of Specimens 
Future Biomedical Research specimens will be stored in the biorepository for potential 
analysis for up to 20 years from the end of the main study. Specimens may be stored for 
longer if a regulatory or governmental authority has active questions that are being 
answered. In this special circumstance, specimens will be stored until these questions 
have been adequately addressed.
Specimens from the trial site will be shipped to a central laboratory and then shipped to 
the Sponsor-designated biorepository. If a central laboratory is not utilized in a particular 
trial, the trial site will ship directly to the Sponsor-designated biorepository. The 
specimens will be stored under strict supervision in a limited access facility which 
operates to assure the integrity of the specimens.  Specimens will be destroyed according 
to Sponsor policies and procedures and this destruction will be documented in the 
biorepository database.
8. Data Security
Databases containing specimen information and test results are accessible only to the 
authorized Sponsor representatives and the designated trial administrator research 
personnel and/or collaborators. Database user authentication is highly secure, and is 
accomplished using network security policies and practices based on international 
standards (e.g., ISO17799) to protect against unauthorized access.
 
 
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9. Reporting of Future Biomedical Research Data to Subjects
No information obtained from exploratory laboratory studies will be reported to the 
subject, family, or physicians. Principle reasons not to inform or return results to the 
subject include: Lack of relevance to subject health, limitations of predictive capability, 
and concerns regarding misinterpretation.
If any exploratory results are definitively associated with clinical significance for subjects 
while the clinical trial is still ongoing, investigators will be contacted with information. 
After the clinical trial has completed, if any exploratory results are definitively associated 
with clinical significance, the Sponsor will endeavor to make such results available 
through appropriate mechanisms (e.g., scientific publications and/or presentations). 
Subjects will not be identified by name in any published reports about this study or in any 
other scientific publication or presentation.
10. Future Biomedical Research Study Population
Every effort will be made to recruit all subjects diagnosed and treated on Sponsor clinical 
trials for Future Biomedical Research.
11. Risks Versus Benefits of Future Biomedical Research 
For future biomedical research, risks to the subject have been minimized. Risks include 
those associated with venipuncture to obtain the whole blood specimen.  This specimen 
will be obtained at the time of routine blood specimens drawn in the main trial.
The Sponsor has developed strict security, policies and procedures to address subject data 
privacy concerns.  Data privacy risks are largely limited to rare situations involving 
possible breach of confidentiality.  In this highly unlikely situation there is risk that the 
information, like all medical information, may be misused.
12. Questions
Any questions related to the future biomedical research should be e-mailed directly to 
13. References
1. National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary/?searchTxt=biomarker
2. International Conference on Harmonization: DEFINITIONS FOR GENOMIC 
BIOMARKERS, PHARMACOGENOMICS, PHARMACOGENETICS, GENOMIC 
DATA 
AND 
SAMPLE 
CODING 
CATEGORIES 
-
E15; 
http://www.ich.org/LOB/media/MEDIA3383.pdf
 
 
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Understanding the Intent, Scope and Public Health Benefits of Exploratory Biomarker Research: A Guide for 
12.3
IRBs/IECs and Investigational Site Staff
 
 
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Section II: Guidance for Assessment of Potential Etiology
Questions to Assess Etiology
Investigate potential causes for the subject’s elevated liver enzymes using the 
questions below.    Answers to the questions should be recorded in the subject’s 
source documents and appropriate eCRFs.   
1. Has the subject recently:

Had a change in his/her pattern of alcohol use?  Investigate 
historic pattern of alcohol use as well.

Administered an illegal drug(s) (including intravenous drugs)?

Been exposed to a chemical agent or other environmental toxin?

Consumed any unusual foods (e.g., mushrooms), seasonal 
foods, or initiated treatment with new herbal/nutritional 
supplements?

Initiated a new diet regimen, started a rigorous exercise 
program, or experienced any form of severe physical exertion? 

Traveled to another country or region?
2. Does the subject have a relevant concomitant illness (e.g., 
cholelithiasis, hepatitis, etc.) or has the subject had potential exposure 
to viral hepatitis (transfusion, tattoo, new sexual partner)?
3. Does the subject have a relevant medical history (e.g., autoimmune 
disorder, cancer, Gilbert’s syndrome, obesity, Wilson’s disease, NASH, 
alcoholic or infectious hepatitis, biliary tract disease, hypoxic/ischemic 
hepatopathy, etc.)?
4. Has the subject recently been treated with a concomitant medication(s) 
with demonstrated or suspected effects on the liver (e.g., 
acetaminophen; amiodarone; aspirin; chlorpromazine; dantrolene; 
erythromycin; 
halothane; 
isoniazid; 
methyldopa; 
nitrofurantoin; 
oxyphenisatin; perhexiline maleate; phenytoin; propylthiouracil; 
rifampin; sulfonamides; tetracyclines) or initiated treatment with 
another new medication(s)?
 
 
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Additional Laboratory/Imaging Evaluations
In subjects for whom an etiology for the abnormal liver enzymes is unknown or 
whose elevated liver enzymes persist for more than 1 week:
1. Consider performing serologic tests including: (a) Hepatitis A (IgM); 
(b) Hepatitis B (surface antigen and core IgM); (c) Hepatitis C 
(antibody); (d) Hepatitis E (IgG and IgM).  Obtain consent prior to
testing, if required locally.  Additional evaluations may be performed at 
the discretion of the investigator.  
2. Consider an ultrasound of the subject’s right upper quadrant and 
additional scans (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography 
[ERCP] or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography [MRCP]) if 
needed. 
Note: Subjects may also be referred to a gastroenterologist or hepatologist for an 
additional work-up if considered necessary by the investigator.  
 
 
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13.0 SIGNATURES
Sponsor's Representative
13.1
TYPED NAME
TITLE
SIGNATURE
DATE SIGNED
Investigator
13.2
I agree to conduct this clinical trial in accordance with the design outlined in this protocol 
and to abide by all provisions of this protocol (including other manuals and documents 
referenced from this protocol).  I agree to conduct the trial in accordance with generally 
accepted standards of Good Clinical Practice.  I also agree to report all information or data in 
accordance with the protocol and, in particular, I agree to report any serious adverse events 
as defined in Section 7.0 – Assessing and Recording Adverse Events.  I also agree to handle 
all clinical supplies provided by the Sponsor and collect and handle all clinical specimens in 
accordance with the protocol.  I understand that information that identifies me will be used 
and disclosed as described in the protocol, and that such information may be transferred to 
countries that do not have laws protecting such information.  Since the information in this 
protocol and the referenced Investigator’s Brochure is confidential, I understand that its 
disclosure to any third parties, other than those involved in approval, supervision, or conduct 
of the trial is prohibited.  I will ensure that the necessary precautions are taken to protect such 
information from loss, inadvertent disclosure or access by third parties.
TYPED NAME
TITLE
SIGNATURE
DATE SIGNED
 
 
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