Transition stops TT-223 gastrin analogue combination clinical study in type 2 diabetes

Transition Therapeutics Inc. ("Transition" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:TTHI) (TSX:TTH) announced today that a clinical study of gastrin analogue TT-223 in combination with a Lilly proprietary GLP-1 analogue in patients with type 2 diabetes did not meet its efficacy endpoints.   Given these findings, there will be no further development of TT-223. 

"Development of a disease modifying therapy for type 2 diabetes is a high risk endeavour, but one that is needed by the millions of people living with this disease.   While TT-223 has shown efficacy through development, these results indicate that it does not have the product profile for a diabetes therapy. We wish to acknowledge, our development partner, Lilly, and the many clinicians that have shown a deep commitment in working together with us on the development of TT-223," said Dr. Tony Cruz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Transition.

The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in approximately 150 patients to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of daily TT-223 treatments in combination with weekly administrations of GLP-1 analogue, for a combination treatment period of 4 weeks with a 5-month follow-up. 

The next generation diabetes compounds that Transition has in-licensed from Lilly, as announced on March 3, 2010, act through a distinctly different mechanism of action from gastrin based therapies. The companies continue to work diligently on this program and the licensing arrangement is unaffected by the TT-223 clinical study results.