ActivX files application for investigational diabetes drug

In May 2002, ActivX and Kyorin entered into a collaboration for the discovery and development of new drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The companies’ joint research quickly led to the identification of KRP-104 for clinical development.

In December 2004, Kyorin acquired ActivX, and the La Jolla-based company now acts as Kyorin’s US center for drug discovery and clinical development.

KRP-104 is an orally active, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPPIV) inhibitor which lowers blood glucose levels by blocking the degradation of the hormone GLP-1 thereby stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion and lowering blood glucose levels without hypoglycemic effects.

“KRP-104 is entering a highly competitive area of clinical development with a number of compounds in advanced clinical stages. We believe, however, that KRP-104 has a unique pharmacological profile that will more than compensate for its later market entry,” said Dr John Kozarich, chairman & president of ActivX and chief scientific advisor for Kyorin.

This is Kyorin’s first independently filed application with the FDA. The US phase I clinical trial of KRP-104 commenced on March 3, 2006.