HAYWARD, Calif., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Metabolex, Inc., a biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for diabetes and related metabolic disorders, announced today the results from a preclinical program that showed that MBX-102/JNJ-39659100, the company's lead insulin sensitizer, potently reduces inflammation in mouse and rat models of diabetes. (MBX-102/JNJ-39659100 was previously referred to as metaglidasen).
Metabolex investigators, presenting at the Keystone Symposium in Keystone, Colo., compared the effect of MBX-102/JNJ-39659100, rosiglitazone and a vehicle treatment. Both mice and rats treated with either active compound demonstrated substantially reduced inflammation and macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue. In addition, treatment with MBX102/JNJ39659100 suppressed the expression of key inflammatory genes in adipose tissue and macrophages.
"A growing body of evidence has linked inflammation causally to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, as well as a contributing factor to atherosclerosis and the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Thus, insulin-sensitizing compounds that also have an effect on the inflammatory process may be promising weapons in the battle against diabetes," said David B. Karpf, MD, the chief medical officer of Metabolex. "This encouraging work suggests that MBX-102/JNJ-39659100 has substantial anti-inflammatory effects, a meaningful benefit atop the drug's already-documented efficacy on other elements of the disease process. We look forward to further exploring these findings in our effort to develop an effective and well-tolerated therapy for type 2 diabetes."
In addition to its role in reducing inflammation, a 217-patient Phase 2 study showed that MBX-102/JNJ-39659100 has a positive effect on glucose and lipid levels and was well-tolerated. MBX-102/JNJ-39659100 has the potential to offer efficacy similar to drugs such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone from the thiazolidinedione (TZD) class. However, MBX-102/JNJ-39659100 is not a TZD and has a different mechanism of action than the TZDs, and the Phase 2 research suggested that the patients receiving MBX-102/JNJ-39659100 may be spared the edema and weight gain commonly seen in patients treated with TZDs.
Metabolex is now testing MBX-102/JNJ-39659100 in a 400-patient Phase 2/3 clinical trial. In June 2006, Metabolex entered into a strategic alliance with Ortho-McNeil, Inc., giving Ortho-McNeil an exclusive license for worldwide development and commercialization of MBX-102/JNJ-39659100.
About Metabolex
Metabolex is a privately held biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics to transform the treatment of diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Metabolex has drawn on its deep understanding of diabetes to create the largest database of genes involved in diabetes and to build a rich pipeline of product candidates and drug discovery targets. The company has three clinical-stage compounds: MBX-102/JNJ- 39659100, in Phase 2/3; MBX-2044, in Phase 2a; and MBX-8025, being studied in dyslipidemia, which has completed Phase 1 studies. Both MBX-102/JNJ-39659100 and MBX-2044 are second-generation insulin sensitizers that lower blood glucose without the safety and tolerability issues associated with currently marketed products. Ortho-McNeil, Inc. has the exclusive right to develop and commercialize MBX-102/JNJ-39659100 and MBX-2044. For additional information about Metabolex and its development pipeline, visit www.metabolex.com .
Metabolex, Inc.CONTACT: Mark Bagnall of Metabolex, +1-510-293-8800, ormbagnall@metabolex.com; or media, Brian Reid of WeissComm Partners,+1-703-402-3626, or breid@weisscommpartners.com, for Metabolex
Web site: http://www.metabolex.com//
