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Metabolex discovers and develops novel therapeutics to treat type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders. It is our goal to bring to the patient breakthrough medicines that improve quality of life. Our deep understanding of the biology of these diseases has enabled us to build a robust pipeline of proprietary product candidates.
The most advanced product candidate in our pipeline is MBX-102, an oral, small-molecule insulin sensitizer currently in Phase 2 testing. Research to date suggests that MBX-102 may have efficacy comparable to the currently marketed insulin sensitizers with a superior safety and tolerability profile. Currently marketed sensitizers cause weight gain and edema and carry a black box warning that cautions physicians about the risk of heart failure. Clinical studies to date indicate that MBX-102, in contrast, does not cause weight gain or edema. We have an additional second generation insulin sensitizer product candidate, MBX-2044, which has a similar safety and tolerability profile to MBX-102 with additional potency.
MBX-8025 is our product candidate for treating mixed dyslipidemia, a group of disorders that includes elevated LDL cholesterol and/or triglycerides, and low levels of HDL cholesterol. We recently completed a thorough Phase 2 proof-of-concept study that showed MBX-8025 effectively addresses each of the lipid abnormalities associated with mixed dyslipidemia and also showed potential efficacy at treating other metabolic disorders.
MBX-2982 is a potential first-in-class treatment for type 2 diabetes that targets G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR 119), a receptor that interacts with bioactive lipids known to stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion. MBX-2982 is a potent GPR 119 agonist that in a recently completed Phase 1 study showed dose-dependent reductions in glucose and increases in GLP-1 following a mixed meal.
Our strategy is to discover and develop promising therapies for metabolic diseases to address significant unmet medical needs in large markets, developing them through proof-of-concept studies and then collaborating with companies through late-stage clinical trials and commercialization to maximize the value of our compounds. In furtherance of this approach, in 2006 we entered into an agreement with Johnson & Johnson, through its Ortho-McNeil unit, giving Ortho-McNeil an exclusive license for worldwide development and commercialization of MBX-102.
To execute our strategy, we have assembled a management team with deep experience in developing promising drugs and technologies, including former executives at Syntex, Roche, Merck, Pfizer and Sugen.