Secondary objectives are to assess the effects of lixisenatide, in comparison to placebo, on glycemic control in terms of HbA1c reduction when it is used in a one-step dose titration regimen over a period of 12 weeks, body weight, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) after a standardized meal, to assess the safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and anti-lixisenatide antibody development.