EXTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Melior Discovery, Inc., a leader in drug repositioning research, today announced two publications describing its lead repositioning candidate, MLR-1023. Both publications will appear in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and can be found online at:
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/early/2012/04/03/jpet.112.192096.abstract
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/early/2012/03/19/jpet.112.192187.abstract
The first publication, by Saporito et al, describes the novel mechanism of action of this new class of potential diabetes therapeutics; the second publication, by Ochman et al, describes the pre-clinical pharmacology profile. Together, these manuscripts establish that MLR-1023 is a next generation insulin sensitizer that works independently of PPAR gamma inhibition.
“We believe that these two papers will eventually be recognized as seminal in the field of diabetes and represent a point at which a new class of diabetes therapeutics was established,” said Andrew Reaume, Ph.D, CEO of Melior Discovery.
About MLR-1023
MLR-1023 is a clinical stage drug candidate ready to enter Phase 2 clinical studies for Type 2 diabetes. The drug is a potential “next-generation” insulin sensitizer that works independently of a PPAR mechanism. MLR-1023 improves glycemic control by directly and selectively activating the enzyme Lyn kinase. MLR-1023 was formerly in development by Pfizer through Phase II clinical trials for an unrelated chronic indication, but clinical development was halted for lack of efficacy. The drug, however, was shown to be safe and well tolerated in several clinical trials. Post-hoc analysis of blood glucose in those trials provides an early, statistically significant, indication that the drug has therapeutic potential towards diabetes.
About Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes is a chronic, widespread condition in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone needed to transport glucose (sugar) from the blood into the cells of the body for energy. More than 230 million people worldwide are living with the disease, and this number is expected to rise to 350 million within 20 years. It is estimated that nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, including an estimated 5.7 million who remain undiagnosed. At the same time, about 40 percent of those diagnosed are not achieving the blood-sugar-control target of HbA1c <7 percent recommended by the American Diabetes Association. The HbA1c test measures average blood glucose levels over a two- to three-month period.
About Melior Discovery, Inc.
Melior Discovery, Inc. identifies and develops new uses for small molecule therapeutics. By applying its proprietary theraTRACE® drug repositioning platform, Melior can rapidly evaluate compounds across multiple therapeutic areas. Melior is using this capability to build an internal pipeline of development candidates. Melior also partners with pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies to expand their drug development pipelines by using the theraTRACE® platform, and individual animal models, in conjunction with the Company’s in-depth in vivo pharmacology expertise.
In addition to its novel compounds for diabetes and metabolic diseases, Melior has further programs in a broad range of therapeutic areas including inflammation, dermatology and central nervous systems disorders.