Bayer said the trial will recruit around 6,500 patients in China with cardiovascular disease and prediabetes, who will receive either Precose or a placebo for a minimum of three years.

Bayer said final results of the trial are expected to be available in 2012.

Precose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, works in the intestine, slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates, and lengthening the time it takes for carbohydrates to convert to glucose, thereby facilitating better blood glucose control.