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Metabolex Begins Phase 2A, Proof-of-Concept Study for MBX-2044 Diabetes Drug
Hayward, Calif., (December 20, 2006): Metabolex, Inc., a biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for diabetes and related metabolic disorders, announced today that it has begun a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2a, proof-of-concept study for MBX-2044, a novel oral insulin sensitizer for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
MBX-2044 is the follow-on compound to metaglidasen (MBX-102), Metabolex’s lead insulin sensitizer, a selective PPAR modulator currently being tested in a 400-patient Phase 2/3 clinical trial. Results from a Phase 1, single ascending-dose study of MBX-2044 showed the drug to be safe and well-tolerated across a broad range of doses.
“We are excited to start the first clinical study of MBX-2044 in patients with diabetes,” said David B. Karpf, MD, the chief medical officer of Metabolex. “Diabetes is an epidemic disease largely caused by insulin resistance. Only one currently marketed class of drugs – the thiazolidinediones (TZDs) – directly addresses insulin resistance. There are drawbacks to TZDs, however, notably weight gain and edema. Our compounds, including MBX-2044, have a different mechanism of action, and research to date suggests that they may have the potential to offer the advantages of TZDs along with an improved safety profile.”
In June 2006, Metabolex entered into a strategic alliance with Ortho-McNeil, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, giving Ortho-McNeil an exclusive license for worldwide development and commercialization of metaglidasen and MBX-2044. Metabolex is conducting both the Phase 2/3 trial of metaglidasen and the Phase 2a trial of MBX-2044.
About Metabolex
Metabolex is a privately held biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics to transform the treatment of diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Metabolex has drawn on its deep understanding of diabetes to create the largest database of genes involved in diabetes and to build a rich pipeline of product candidates and drug discovery targets. The company has three clinical-stage compounds: metaglidasen (MBX-102), in Phase 2/3; MBX-2044, in Phase 2a; and MBX-8025, being studied in dyslipidemia, which has completed Phase 1 studies. Both metaglidasen and MBX-2044 are second-generation insulin sensitizers that lower blood glucose without the safety and tolerability issues associated with currently marketed products. Ortho-McNeil, Inc. has the exclusive right to develop and commercialize metaglidasen and MBX-2044.
For additional information about Metabolex and its development pipeline, visit www.metabolex.com.
   
Contact: Media:
Mark Bagnall
Metabolex
(510) 293-8800
mbagnall@metabolex.com
 Brian Reid
WeissComm Partners
(703) 402-3626
breid@weisscommpartners.com