Efficacy and safety of linagliptin/metformin single-pill combination as initial therapy in drug-naïve Asian patients with type 2 diabetes

•Linagliptin/metformin single-pill combination (SPC) versus individual components.•Efficacy/safety assessed in drug-naïve Asian patients with type 2 diabetes.•SPC superior glycemic control versus individual components.•SPC superior to linagliptin in patients with initial HbA1c ⩾11.0% (97mmol/mol).•Hypoglycemic adverse events were low across groups.