SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Metabasis Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MBRX) today announced an extension to the sponsored research term under its collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc. for an additional year, through June 2009. The two companies will continue their joint efforts to identify novel small molecule therapeutics with the potential to treat several diseases, including type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases, by activation of an enzyme called AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK). AMPK is thought to play an important role in regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism and consequently in metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
