In addition to pursuing its new pipeline expansion strategy, the company said that it will continue with its plans to develop AKP-020 for Type 2 diabetes. Having completed a Phase IIa study for AKP-020 earlier in 2008, Akesis has initiated a three-month preclinical safety program in order to support further clinical evaluation of its product.
Carl LeBel, president and CEO of Akesis, said: “This new strategic direction will provide more opportunities to build on the success of our AKP-020 program, a Type 2 diabetes drug candidate. Importantly, it leverages our background and core expertise in diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, muscle wasting and other metabolic disorders.
“Akesis’s management and scientific advisors, who have direct experience overseeing the clinical development and regulatory process of multi-stage programs in metabolic diseases, will work closely together as we evaluate potential assets to in-license.”