Sanofi-aventis and Metabolex : Exclusive Worldwide Licensing Agreement for a Novel Oral Antidiabetic to treat Type II Diabetes

June 25, 2010 – Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) and Metabolex announced a global licensing agreement on MBX-2982, an oral agent, GPR119 receptor agonist, for the treatment of Type II Diabetes. GPR119 receptor agonists (or G-protein coupled receptor 119) are found to exert the effects on glucose metabolism by a dual mode of action affecting both insulin and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) release. This innovative mechanism could offer improved glucose control over the existing oral diabetes therapies, with an additional potentially beneficial effect on weight.

Under this agreement, sanofi-aventis will receive an exclusive worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize MBX-2982, currently in Phase II a, and related compounds.
“The new mechanism of action of MBX-2982 is very promising and we are excited to have identified Metabolex as our partner in this very competitive field”... [PDF] Sanofi-aventis' Press Release -

Metabolex and Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals : TYPE 2 DIABETES DEVELOPMENT AND LICENSE AGREEMENT

June 22, 2010 — Metabolex, Inc. announced that they have entered into a global development and license agreement with Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OMJPI) to further develop and discover compounds for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and other disorders. Under the agreement, OMJPI will receive an exclusive worldwide license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize several Metabolex programs that are currently at the preclinical stage.

Under the terms of the agreement, Metabolex will receive an upfront payment and could be eligible to receive development, regulatory, and commercial milestones up to $330 million. Metabolex is also eligible to receive royalties on worldwide sales of marketed products... Metabolex's Press Release -

Metabolex : Phase 1 clinical trial of MBX-2982, Potential First-in-Class Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes

March 26, 2008 : Metabolex, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of proprietary new medicines for the treatment of metabolic diseases, announced that it has dosed the first cohort of healthy subjects in a Phase 1 clinical trial of MBX-2982, a potential first-in-class treatment for type 2 diabetes.

The Phase 1 clinical trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of MBX-2982. Investigators expect to enroll a total of 60 healthy volunteers in the 6-cohort ascending-dose study.

MBX-2982 is an agonist of GPR119, a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that is expressed in pancreatic islets and the gastrointestinal tract. Pre-clinical studies conducted by Metabolex and others show that GPR119 agonists can stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion... Metabolex's Press Release -