Zealand Pharma presented new preclinical data on ZP2929 in disease models for diabetes and obesity at the American Diabetes Association?s 71st Annual Scientific Sessions
-- Novel glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist ZP2929 in combination with
long-acting insulin shows potential to improve glycemic control
without causing weight gain
-- ZP2929 caused a greater loss in body weight and fat mass as
compared to treatment with liraglutide, a marketed GLP-1
agonist
Copenhagen, Denmark, 28 June 2011 – Zealand Pharma A/S
(NASDAQ OMX: ZEAL), a biopharmaceutical company based in Denmark,
has presented new data from preclinical studies with ZP2929, a
novel glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonist drug candidate in preclinical
development for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
ZP2929 was discovered by Zealand Pharma and recently global rights
to the drug candidate were licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim as part
of a global licence and collaboration agreement between the two
companies to advance novel compounds for the treatment of Type 2
diabetes and obesity (Company Announcement No. 10, 16 June
2011).
The preclinical data on ZP2929 was presented yesterday in a poster
session at the American Diabetes Association (ADA)’s 71st
Scientific Sessions in San Diego, California from 24 – 28
June 2011 entitled:
“The new glucagon-GLP-1 dual agonist ZP2929 in combination
with long-acting insulin improves glycemic control without causing
weight gain in db/db mice”
Treatment of Type 2 diabetic patients with long-acting insulin
analogues for control of blood glucose is known to be associated
with weight gain. In preclinical models, ZP2929 has been shown to
improve glycemic control while decreasing body weight.
Commenting on this release, David H. Solomon, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Zealand Pharma, said: “ZP2929 is one of
the most innovative compounds discovered by Zealand Pharma, with a
novel mode of action. The preclinical results we have presented at
ADA this year provide further support for the potential of this
drug candidate in Type 2 diabetes and obesity. We look forward to
advancing the development of ZP2929 as part of our joint efforts
with its exclusive licensee Boehringer Ingelheim to bring novel and
better treatments to patients.”
The results presented show that in a well-known preclinical disease
model of diabetes, the combination of ZP2929 with long-acting
insulin over a 21-day period resulted in a significant reduction in
blood glucose. Moreover, the combination with ZP2929 over the same
period of time resulted in stable body weight whereas treatment
with long-acting insulin alone resulted in weight gain. A second
study in a preclinical model for obesity, showed that treatment
with ZP2929 alone resulted in not only a significant weight loss
but also a greater weight loss than seen with liraglutide, a
marketed GLP-1 agonist.
A copy of the poster will be available to download from Zealand
Pharma’s website, www.zealandpharma.com after the
presentation at ADA.
The agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim and financial outlook for
2011
The new data presented on ZP2929 does not change Zealand
Pharma’s expectations in 2011 to receive a total of DKK 150
(€20) million in revenues and other income under the
Boehringer Ingelheim agreement, nor the company’s guidance on
total operating expenses for the full year of DKK 170 (€23)
million.
Under the agreement between Zealand Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim
on dual acting glucagon/GLP-1 agonists, Zealand Pharma is eligible
to receive payments of up to €376 million for ZP2929 depending
on the achievement of pre-defined development, regulatory and
commercial milestones. Zealand Pharma is entitled also to tiered
royalties that range from high single to low double digits on
global sales of the product. Zealand Pharma retains co-promotion
rights to ZP2929 in Scandinavia.
For further information, please contact:
David H. Solomon, President and Chief Executive Officer;
Mobile: +45 2220 6300
Hanne Leth Hillman, Vice President, Head of Investor Relations and
Corporate Communications;
Mobile: +45 5060 3689
About ZP2929
The biological rationale for developing ZP2929 is based on the
pharmacology of the gut peptide hormone oxyntomodulin.
Oxyntomodulin is released by the L-cells of the small intestine
after meals, and is believed to exert its biological effects by
activating both the glucagon receptor and the GLP-1 receptor. In
humans, this hormone is believed to have multiple beneficial
effects on diabetes and obesity, improving glucose tolerance and
causing substantial weight loss.
ZP2929, which acts on both the glucagon and the GLP-1 receptors,
has in preclinical studies shown the ability to achieve glycemic
control while causing significant and sustained weight loss. ZP2929
is being developed for once-daily subcutaneous administration to
treat patients with Type 2 diabetes and patients with
obesity.
ZP2929 was discovered by Zealand Pharma, and global rights to the
drug candidate have been licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim.
About Zealand Pharma
Zealand Pharma A/S is a public (NASDAQ OMX: ZEAL) biopharmaceutical
company based in Copenhagen, Denmark with a mature and growing
clinical pipeline of innovative peptide based drugs. The
company’s lead product is Lyxumia® (lixisenatide), a
once-daily GLP-1 agonist licensed to Sanofi, who has Lyxumia®
in late-stage Phase III development for the treatment of Type 2
diabetes. Zealand Pharma also has a collaboration with Boehringer
Ingelheim covering glucagon/GLP-1 dual agonists, including ZP2929
for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, and a license agreement
with Helsinn Healthcare on a clinical stage GLP-2 drug for the
treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced diarrhea.
Zealand Pharma specializes in the discovery, optimization and
development of novel peptide drugs with favorable therapeutic
attributes, and all drug candidates in its pipeline have been
identified through the company’s own drug discovery
activities. Zealand Pharma’s products target disease areas
where existing treatments fail to adequately serve patient needs
and where the market potential for improved treatments through the
use of peptide drugs is high.
For more information please visit www.zealandpharma.com
Emma Thompson
M:Communications
A KingWorldwide Company
T +44 (0)20 7920 2342
F +44 (0)20 7920 2304
M +44 (0)7850 155246
thompson@mcomgroup.com
www.mcomgroup.com
1 Ropemaker Street
34th Floor, CityPoint
London EC2Y 9AW
Posted: June 2011
