Point Therapeutics' PT-630 study shows improved glucose, insulin responses in type 2 diabetes

By Lisa Kerner

Erie, Pa., March 6 - Point Therapeutics, Inc. said PT-630, its investigational DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase) inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, improved glucose handling, insulin secretion and active GLP-1 levels in several rodent models of diabetes.

The study treatment effects of PT-630 were greater than that of metformin, a commonly used drug to treat type 2 diabetes, and a cyanopyrrolidine, a DPP-4 inhibitor currently in clinical development to treat type 2 diabetes, according to a company news release.

All three agents were compared by chronic administration (44 days) in Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats.

PT-630 data revealed improvements in whole body sensitivity to insulin, a 50% reduction in fasting plasma triglycerides and glucose levels and a 1.7% reduction in HbA1c, suggesting the ability of PT-630 to achieve glucose control in type 2 diabetes over the long-term, the company said.

"These preclinical studies are promising because PT-630 not only improved insulin and glucose responses, which are common markers of diabetes, but also demonstrated an improved effect when metabolic parameters associated with long-term progression of the disease were measured," vice president of external research Nazneen Aziz said in the release.

"The findings suggest that compared with the other compounds evaluated, PT-630 may have a more comprehensive antidiabetic activity."

The company announced the results on March 4 at the Keystone Symposium in Santa Fe, N.M.

Point is a Boston-based biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of DPP inhibitors for use in cancer, type 2 diabetes and as vaccine adjuvants.

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