Efficacy and Safety Comparison of Metformin/Glimepiride Combination Versus Each Compound Alone in New Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Primary Objective: \- To demonstrate the superiority of glimepiride and metformin free combination in comparison to glimepiride or metformin alone in terms of Hb1Ac reduction during a 24-week treatment period in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Secondary Objectives: \- To assess the effects of the free combination of glimepiride and metformin in comparison to glimepiride or metformin alone on: * Percentage of patients reaching HbA1c \< 7% * Percentage of patients reaching HbA1c \< 6.5% * Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) * Safety and tolerability

The study duration for each patient is approximately 27 weeks with 3 periods: 2-week screening period followed by 24-week treatment period where patient is assigned to one of the three arms according to randomization, and 3 days follow-up period with a last call phone visit.