Incyte has initiated a Phase I clinical trial of INCB13739, an orally available small molecule inhibitor of 11beta-HSD1 (11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1). 11beta-HSD1 is an enzyme that appears to be critical to the development of Type 2 diabetes.

The trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-dose-rising study designed to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of INCB13739 in healthy volunteers. The program will also evaluate the ability of INCB13739 to inhibit 11beta-HSD1 activity in adipose tissue and liver of high-body mass index individuals. Preclinical studies have shown that 11beta-HSD1 activity in these two tissues may be a primary driver of insulin resistance and diabetes.