US-based biopharmaceutical company Ligand has reported positive data from two Phase I trials reports of LGD-6972 to treat type 2 diabetes.
LGD-6972 is Ligand’s glucagon receptor antagonist, which activates a non-insulin mechanism to lower plasma glucose in type 2 diabetic patients.
The Phase Ia and Phase Ib trials were designed as single and multiple-dose, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled studies to determine the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics profile of LGD-6972 when administered to healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
LGD-6972 was administered in single or multiple oral doses.
Results indicated the efficacy of the glucagon receptor antagonist in lowering fasting plasma glucose within both the healthy subjects and type 2 diabetes patients, recording an increase in insulin and a decrease in glucagon responding to an oral glucose load.
The study data also suggested the safety and tolerability of LGD-6972, recording no dose-dependent changes in hematology, clinical chemistry or urinalysis panels, electrocardiography or vital signs and no hypoglycemic event.
Ligand CEO John Higgins said: “These clinical results are encouraging as they demonstrate a favourable safety profile for LGD-6972 and show a robust glycemic response in both healthy subjects and subjects with diabetes."
The company is planning to start a Phase II trial to demonstrate additional safety and efficacy data of LGD-6972.
The trial will be designed as a randomised, double-blind, multicentre study and include 148 patients whose blood glucose levels are inadequately controlled with metformin.
