Marcadia Biotech commences Phase 1 clinical trial of MAR701 for type 2 diabetes

Feb 17 2010

Marcadia Biotech Inc. today announced that it has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of MAR701, a novel dual agonist of the incretin hormone receptors for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP). Marcadia plans to initially develop this compound as a treatment for type 2 diabetes with once-weekly dosing. The Phase 1 trial will evaluate MAR701 in healthy volunteers at escalating dose levels.

MAR701 targets two peptide hormones that are elevated physiologically following a meal and pharmacologically by drugs in the DPP-4 inhibitor class, which are used to lower blood glucose. Drugs in the GLP-1 agonist class directly activate the GLP-1 receptor pathway to lower blood glucose and may also decrease body weight. Preclinical testing by Marcadia of MAR701 demonstrated significant reductions in blood glucose levels and body weight.

"In preclinical studies, we have seen that simultaneous activation of GLP-1 and GIP receptors produced additive efficacy with no apparent side effects," said Fritz French, Marcadia's chief executive officer. "This approach is not limited by endogenous levels of GIP and GLP-1, like DPP-4 inhibitors, and a dual agonist directly activates both receptors, unlike GLP-1 receptor agonists. We believe this holds significant promise for treating type 2 diabetes, and potentially obesity in the future."

MAR701 originated through Marcadia's discovery collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Richard DiMarchi, the Linda & Jack Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences and professor of chemistry at Indiana University Bloomington. This collaboration leverages the therapeutic experience in diabetes and obesity of both groups with the unique peptide chemistry capabilities of the DiMarchi Lab.