Array BioPharma presents positive data on its glucokinase activators in type 2 diabetes

Array BioPharma Inc. has announced the presentation of preclinical data on a novel small molecule glucokinase activator (GKA), ARRY-403, a drug for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

The data showed that ARRY-403 demonstrated potent, highly glucose-blood-level dependent, control of both fasting and non-fasting glucose concentrations. Based on these and other results, Array plans to advance ARRY-403 into human clinical studies in the first half of 2009. The data were presented today at an annual metabolic diseases conference in London.

"There is a significant need for new, more effective oral diabetes treatments - and glucokinase activation represents a promising new mechanism," said Kevin Koch, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer. "GKAs hold the potential to bring a significant benefit to Type 2 diabetes patients and we believe ARRY-403 is a highly potent and safe glucokinase activator."

The data showed that in multiple well-established in vivo models of Type 2 diabetes, ARRY-403 was highly efficacious in controlling both fasting and non-fasting glucose, with rapid onset of effect and maximal efficacy within five to eight days. In combination with existing standard-of-care drugs (metformin, DPP4 inhibitor, or PPARã agonist), ARRY-403 provided additional glucose-control, which reached maximal efficacy after five to seven days of once-daily dosing. ARRY-403 showed no adverse increases of body weight, plasma triglycerides or total cholesterol, whether used as monotherapy or in combination.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 24 million (8 percent) Americans have diabetes. Current therapies for this progressive disease are insufficient or inconvenient, creating a need for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. GKAs, such as ARRY-403, represent a promising new class of drugs for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.