Metabolex and Sanofi-Aventis enter into an agreement for novel type 2 diabetes treatment

Hayward, Calif., 25 June 2010

Metabolex and Sanofi-Aventis announced today that they have entered into a global license and development agreement for the research, development, manufacture and commercialization of small molecules that modulate the G-protein coupled receptor 119 (GPR119), a receptor in the gut and pancreas that interacts with bioactive lipids to stimulate glucose-dependent incretin and insulin secretion. Agonists of GPR119 represent a first-in-class oral treatment for type 2 diabetes that function through a unique dual mechanism of action. First, they act directly on the pancreatic beta cell to increase insulin secretion. In addition, they stimulate release of the incretin GLP-1 from the intestines. This unique dual action may offer improved glucose homeostasis over existing diabetes therapies, with the potential for weight loss and improved islet health.

 

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