Pharmaceutical Business review

Akesis terminates diabetes drug development program, files bankruptcy

After analyzing the data from the three-month preclinical safety program, the company has decided to discontinue the diabetes program and not pursue further regulatory submissions for this indication.

As a result of the discontinuation of the AKP-020 program, the company has also announced its intent to voluntarily file a bankruptcy petition under Chapter 7 of the US Bankruptcy Code.

Carl LeBel, president and CEO of Akesis, said: “Based on the renal changes resulting from the doses used in our preclinical safety program, the company and its advisors have determined that the safety profile of AKP-020 makes it no longer viable as a drug candidate in a chronic disease setting.

“Based on the discontinuation of our sole clinical development program, our cash position and current economic conditions, we have determined that we can no longer operate as a business enterprise.”