Mercury files patents for novel drug compounds

The compounds are strong candidates for further development in relation to the treatment of Type-2 Diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, where AMPK activation is considered to be a key therapeutic target. MTI integrated AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) discovery platform technology has been central to identifying novel chemical scaffolds that have resulted in identifying multiple AMPK activators and inhibitors, and it is continuing to produce additional active molecules.

Neal Birnberg, president and CEO of Mercury Therapeutics, said: “MTI’s program to develop an orally available AMPK activator has the potential to re-write the rules of how Type-2 Diabetes is managed. With a continuation of the rapid progress MTI has made in the design and synthesis of novel AMPK activators, I am optimistic that we will be filing an IND by the end of 2009 to initiate clinical trials focusing on Type-2 diabetics who no longer respond to metformin or other available oral therapies.”