Metabasis Therapeutics Presents Promising Preclinical Results with Its Novel Glucagon Antagonist for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates the liver to produce glucose (sugar). Overproduction of glucose by the liver is an important cause of high glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and is believed to be due in part to inappropriately elevated levels of glucagon. High glucose levels can cause diabetic complications such as blindness and kidney disease. Glucagon receptor antagonists are designed to lower glucose levels by reducing the production of glucose by the liver.
Metabasis has discovered a class of small molecule antagonists that prevent the binding of glucagon to glucagon receptors on the liver. In the studies presented, the glucagon antagonist blocked the production of glucose in human liver cells and markedly lowered blood glucose levels in standard animal models of type 2 diabetes such as the db/db mouse, the Zucker fatty rat, and the Zucker diabetic fatty rat. Glucose lowering was achieved rapidly both in the postprandial and fasted states.
"This is another example of a novel series of compounds discovered internally by our team at Metabasis," stated Dr. Paul Laikind, president and chief executive officer. "The promising glucose lowering activity and pharmacokinetic profile of our glucagon antagonists shown in these studies suggests this drug class may be of benefit to patients with type 2 diabetes. We have an active lead antagonist compound and hope to recommend a candidate for clinical development in the near future. To date, our talented discovery team has moved five product candidates into development. We expect that work on this, as well as other metabolic disease projects, will continue that strong record of achievement."
About Metabasis (www.mbasis.com):
Metabasis Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel drugs to address some of the world's most widespread and costly chronic diseases. The Company has established a pipeline that includes clinical stage and preclinical product candidates targeting major diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Targeted diseases include metabolic diseases such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia and obesity as well as liver diseases such as hepatitis and primary liver cancer. Metabasis has developed several proprietary technologies for use in discovering and optimizing drugs, including the NuMimetic(TM) and HepDirect(R) technologies. Metabasis is continuing to identify and develop new product candidates using its proprietary technologies and expertise.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature constitute "forward-looking statements." Such statements include, but are not limited to, references to the potential clinical development, activity and benefits of Metabasis' novel glucagon antagonist. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Metabasis' actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the progress and timing of clinical trials for Metabasis' product candidates; the fact that positive results from clinical trials does not necessarily mean later clinical trials will succeed; serious adverse side effects of, or serious adverse events related to, Metabasis' product candidates or proprietary technologies; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing Metabasis' product candidates; the potential and progress of preclinical compounds and programs; and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Metabasis' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Metabasis is providing this information as of this date of this release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact
Metabasis Therapeutics, Inc.
Constance Bienfait
Vice President
Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
858-622-5575
Posted: September 2007
