BI 10773 (Empagliflozin) Cardiovascular Outcome Event Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients (EMPA-REG OUTCOME).

Inclusion criteria:

1. Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus prior to informed consent

2. Male or female patients on diet and exercise regimen who are drug naive or pre
treated with any background therapy. Antidiabetic therapy has to be unchanged for 12
weeks prior to randomization.

3. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of >= 7.0% and <=10% for patients on background
therapy or HbA1c >= 7.0% and <= 9.0% for drug naive patients

4. Age >= 18 years

5. Body Mass index <= 45 at Visit 1

6. Signed and dated informed consent

7. High cardiovascular risk

Exclusion criteria:

1. Uncontrolled hyperglycaemia with a glucose level >240 mg/dl (>13.3 mmol/L) after an
overnight fast during placebo run-in and confirmed by a second measurement (not on
the same day)

2. Indication of liver disease, defined by serum levels of either alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase ALT or alkaline phosphatase above
3 x upper limit of normal (ULN) as determined at screening and/or run in.

3. Planned cardiac surgery or angioplasty within 3 months

4. Impaired renal function, defined as Glomerular Filtration Rate <30 ml/min (severe
renal impairment, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula) during screening or
run in.

5. Bariatric surgery within the past two years and other gastrointestinal surgeries that
induce chronic malabsorption

6. Blood dyscrasias or any disorders causing haemolysis or unstable Red Blood Cell (e.g.
malaria, babesiosis, haemolytic anemia)

7. Medical history of cancer (except for basal cell carcinoma) and/or treatment for
cancer within the last 5 years

8. Contraindications to background therapy according to the local label

9. Treatment with anti-obesity drugs (e.g. sibutramine, orlistat) 3 months prior to
informed consent or any other treatment at the time of screening (i.e. surgery,
aggressive diet regimen, etc.) leading to unstable body weight

10. Current treatment with systemic steroids at time of informed consent or change in
dosage of thyroid hormones within 6 weeks prior to informed consent or any other
uncontrolled endocrine disorder except type 2 diabetes mellitus

11. Pre-menopausal women (last menstruation <+ 1 year prior to informed consent) who:

- are nursing or pregnant or

- are of child-bearing potential and are not practicing an acceptable method of
birth control, or do not plan to continue using this method throughout the study
and do not agree to submit to periodic pregnancy testing during participation in
the trial. Acceptable methods of birth control include tubal ligation,
transdermal patch, intra uterine devices/systems, oral, implantable or
injectable contraceptives, sexual abstinence, double barrier method and
vasectomised partner

12. Alcohol or drug abuse within the 3 months prior to informed consent that would
interfere with trial participation or any ongoing condition leading to a decreased
compliance to study procedures or study drug intake

13. Participation in another trial with an investigational drug within 30 days prior to
informed consent

14. Any other clinical condition that would jeopardize patients safety while
participating in this clinical trial

15. Acute coronary syndrome, stroke or TIA within 2 months prior to informed consent