Preclinical Data Reported by Roche at 69th Scientific Sessions
SAN FRANCISCO, June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , a biotechnology company focused on the development of compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, announced today that preclinical data related to diacylglycerol acyl transferase - 1 (DGAT1) inhibitors will be presented in a poster presentation at the 69th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association June 6, 2009 in New Orleans, LA. The poster will be presented by Roche , who licensed its DGAT1 inhibitors exclusively to VIA in December 2008. Dr. Rebecca Taub, Sr. Vice President Research & Development of VIA and a co-author on the poster, managed development of the DGAT1 program at Roche prior to joining the VIA management team.
DGAT1 (diacylglycerol acyl transferase-1) is an enzyme that catalyzes triglyceride synthesis and fat storage. Triglycerides are the principal component of fat, which is the major repository for storage of metabolic energy in the body. Overweight and obese individuals have significantly greater triglyceride levels, making them more prone to diabetes and its associated metabolic complications. DGAT1 inhibitors are believed to be an innovative class of compounds that modify lipid metabolism. In studies of obese animals, DGAT1 inhibitors have been shown to induce weight loss and improve insulin sensitization, glucose tolerance and lipid levels. These observations suggest DGAT1 inhibitors may have the potential to treat obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia. VIA intends to identify potential clinical candidates from the compounds in this program and determine whether any can be moved into further preclinical development.
About VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the development of compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. VIA's lead candidate, VIA-2291, targets a significant unmet medical need: reducing inflammation in plaque, an underlying cause of atherosclerosis and its complications, including heart attack and stroke. In addition, VIA's pipeline of drug candidates includes other compounds to address other underlying causes of cardiovascular disease: high cholesterol, diabetes and inflammation. For more information, visit: http://www.viapharmaceuticals.com.
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Officer of VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-415-283-2204
Web site: http://www.viapharmaceuticals.com/
