Isis Pharma starts diabetes drugs Phase 1 trial

ISIS-GCGRRx blocks the glucagon receptor (GCGR) and reduces amount of glucose producing harmone in the liver – glucagon.

Isis COO, CFO and secretary Lynne Parshall said their ISIS-GCGRRx and ISIS-GCCRRx drugs are designed to reduce the activity of two critical hormones that oppose the action of insulin and cause increased glucose levels in diabetic patients.

Isis Metabolic Disorders and Translational Medicine vice president Sanjay Bhanot said in their preclinical studies, which were conducted in the most insulin-resistant models of type 2 diabetes, antisense reduction of GCGR produced robust glucose control and resulted in preservation of the pancreas without producing hypoglycemia.

"In addition, it increased active GLP-1 thereby improving pancreatic function," Bhanot said.