CONJUCHEM CLEARED TO START DIABETES STUDY

The FDA has cleared ConjuChem's Phase I/II protocol for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes using the company's proprietary PC-DAC:Exendin-4 compound. Patient dosing will begin in mid-March.

Exendin-4 is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) homolog and an agonist for the GLP-1 receptor. It lowers blood glucose levels through a distinct mechanism complementary to the mechanisms of action of currently available anti-diabetic drugs.

The trial will be a randomized, double-blind, single escalating dose study. The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of PC-DAC:Exendin-4 in patients with stable Type 2 diabetes.