SAN DIEGO, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that initial clinical study results for APD668, an oral drug candidate discovered by Arena and being investigated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes under a partnership with Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc., suggest that Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Receptors, or GDIRs, may improve glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Ortho-McNeil’s initial clinical studies evaluated healthy volunteers and patients with type 2 diabetes in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple (14 day) escalating doses of APD668. Based on the data from those studies, Ortho-McNeil has decided to put APD668 on hold and has advanced a potentially more potent Arena discovered GDIR agonist into preclinical development.
“We are encouraged by the clinical study results supporting GDIR agonists as effective modulators of glucose homeostasis in patients with type 2 diabetes, and we look forward to the results of Ortho-McNeil advancing another of Arena’s GDIR compounds into development,” stated Dominic P. Behan, Ph.D., Arena’s Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer.
About the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Receptor (GDIR)
The GDIR is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor, or GPCR, discovered by Arena. It is expressed in beta cells, the cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin in response to increases in blood glucose. Stimulation of the GDIR is intended to more efficiently promote insulin release by beta cells in response to elevated blood glucose levels. In addition, in preclinical studies, the GDIR stimulates the release of GLP and GIP, two incretins that are important for proper insulin regulation, which may enhance glucose homeostasis. GDIR stimulation has also been found to increase the levels and activity of intracellular factors thought to be involved in the preservation of beta cells. The GDIR is amenable to small molecule, orally active, drug development.
About Diabetes
Diabetes is a major worldwide disease. Based on 2003 data, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that in 2005 there were 194 million adults with diabetes worldwide, an increase of over 40% since 1995. Approximately 90%, or 175 million, of diabetics worldwide suffer from type 2 diabetes, the adult-onset form of the disease. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by inadequate response to insulin or inadequate secretion of insulin as blood glucose levels rise. Therapies for type 2 diabetes are directed toward correcting the body’s inadequate response with oral or injectable medications, or directly modifying insulin levels by injection of insulin or insulin analogs. The worldwide market for diabetes medications exceeded $10 billion in 2004, of which oral drugs exceeded $6 billion.
About Arena Pharmaceuticals
Arena is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing oral drugs in four major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, central nervous system, inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Arena’s most advanced drug candidate, lorcaserin, is being investigated in a Phase 3 clinical trial program for the treatment of obesity. Arena’s broad pipeline of novel compounds targeting G protein-coupled receptors, an important class of validated drug targets, includes compounds being evaluated independently and with its partners, Merck & Co., Inc. and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Arena Pharmaceuticals(R) and Arena(R) are registered service marks of the company. “APD” is an abbreviation for Arena Pharmaceuticals Development.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements about the tolerability, side effects, efficacy and the potential of Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Receptors, or GDIRs, including the potential to improve glucose control or homeostasis, the further development of GDIRs, and about Arena’s strategy, internal and partnered programs, and ability to develop compounds and commercialize drugs. For such statements, Arena claims the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from Arena’s expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, Arena’s planned clinical trials and studies may not proceed at the time or in the manner Arena expects or at all, the results of preclinical studies or clinical trials may not be predictive of future results, Arena’s ability to partner lorcaserin, APD125, APD791 or other of its compounds or programs, the timing, success and cost of Arena’s research, out-licensing endeavors and clinical trials, Arena’s ability to obtain additional financing, Arena’s ability to obtain and defend its patents, and the timing and receipt of payments and fees, if any, from Arena’s collaborators. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by Arena’s forward-looking statements are disclosed in Arena’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent Arena’s judgment as of the time of this release. Arena disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as may be required under applicable law.
CONTACT: Jack Lief, President and CEO, or David Walsey, Director,
Corporate Communications, both of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
+1-858-453-7200, ext. 1682; or Marie Claire Duch of WeissComm Partners,
+1-212-301-7228, for Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Web site: http://www.arenapharm.com/
