Metabasis research promising in diabetes

Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates the liver to produce glucose (sugar). Overproduction of glucose by the liver is an important cause of high glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and is believed to be due in part to inappropriately elevated levels of glucagon. High glucose levels can cause diabetic complications such as blindness and kidney disease. Glucagon receptor antagonists are designed to lower glucose levels by reducing the production of glucose by the liver.

Metabasis has discovered a class of small molecule antagonists that prevent the binding of glucagon to glucagon receptors on the liver. In the studies, the glucagon antagonist blocked the production of glucose in human liver cells and markedly lowered blood glucose levels in standard animal models of type 2 diabetes such as the db/db mouse, the Zucker fatty rat, and the Zucker diabetic fatty rat. Glucose lowering was achieved rapidly both in the postprandial and fasted states.

Dr Paul Laikind, president and CEO, said: “This is another example of a novel series of compounds discovered internally by our team. We have an active lead antagonist compound and hope to recommend a candidate for clinical development in the near future. To date, our talented discovery team has moved five product candidates into development. We expect that work on this, as well as other metabolic disease projects, will continue that strong record of achievement.”