Ligand Announces Positive Preclinical Data for Glucagon Program in Model of Type 1 Diabetes
Data Presented at American Diabetes Association 73rd
Scientific Sessions
SAN DIEGO--
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) announced the
presentation of a poster titled “Glucagon Receptor Antagonist LGD-6972
Is Efficacious in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice” at the 73rd
Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in Chicago. The
poster provides data from preclinical studies of Ligand’s novel
compound, LGD-6972, demonstrating significant glucose lowering activity
in an animal model of type 1 diabetes.
Highlights of the presentation include:
-
LGD-6972 is a potent and selective antagonist of the glucagon receptor
(GCGR) that has previously demonstrated activity in pre-clinical
models of type 2 diabetes.
-
LGD-6972 significantly lowered fasting and non-fasting glucose levels
in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes.
-
LGD-6972 reduced HbA1c, ketone bodies, and free fatty acids in
diabetic mice.
-
LGD-6972 had additive effects when used in combination with insulin
therapy and may be useful in an insulin sparing regimen.
“Glucagon receptor antagonism could play an important role in the
treatment of diabetes. Previous studies have demonstrated efficacy in
models of type 2 diabetes and the present work shows utility for type 1
diabetes as well,” commented Matthew W. Foehr, Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer of Ligand. “Our glucagon program is an
important example of the diversity of partnered and unpartnered products
making up Ligand’s extensive portfolio of assets. We plan to submit an
IND for LGD-6972 in the second half of 2013.”
About Ligand’s Glucagon Receptor Antagonist Program
Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates the liver
to produce glucose (sugar). Overproduction of glucose by the liver is an
important cause of high glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes
and is believed to be due in part to inappropriately elevated levels of
glucagon. High glucose levels can cause diabetic complications such as
blindness and kidney disease. Glucagon receptor antagonists are designed
to lower glucose levels by reducing the production of glucose by the
liver. Glucagon receptor antagonists are novel molecules that have
demonstrated a reduction of glucose and hemoglobin A1c in mid-stage
clinical trials.
About Ligand Pharmaceuticals
Ligand is a biopharmaceutical company that develops and acquires assets
it believes will generate royalty revenues and, under its lean corporate
cost structure, produce sustainable profitability. Ligand has a diverse
asset portfolio addressing the unmet medical needs of patients for a
broad spectrum of diseases including thrombocytopenia, multiple myeloma,
diabetes, hepatitis, muscle wasting, dyslipidemia, anemia and
osteoporosis. Ligand’s Captisol® platform technology is a
patent-protected, chemically modified cyclodextrin with a structure
designed to optimize the solubility and stability of drugs. Ligand has
established multiple alliances with the world's leading pharmaceutical
companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Merck,
Pfizer, Baxter International, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Lundbeck
Inc., Eli Lilly & Co., Spectrum Pharmaceuticals and The Medicines
Company. Please visit www.captisol.com
for more information on Captisol and www.ligand.com
for more information on Ligand.
Follow Ligand on Twitter @Ligand_LGND.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements by Ligand that
involve risks and uncertainties and reflect Ligand’s judgment as of the
date of this release. These include statements regarding data analysis
and evaluation of LGD-6972 and/or other Glucagon receptor antagonists,
utility or potential benefits to patients, plans for continued
development and further studies of such compounds. Actual events or
results may differ from our expectations. For example, there can be no
assurance that other trials or evaluations of LGD-6972 and/or other
Glucagon receptor antagonists will be favorable or that they will
confirm results of previous studies, that data evaluation will be
completed or demonstrate any hypothesis or endpoint, that such compounds
will provide utility or benefits to certain patients, that any
presentations will be favorably received, that such compounds will be
useful with other drugs, that marketing applications will be filed or,
if filed, approved, or that clinical or commercial development of these
drugs will be initiated, completed or successful or that our rights to
LGD-6972 and/or other Glucagon receptor antagonists will not be
successfully challenged. The failure to meet expectations with respect
to any of the foregoing matters may reduce Ligand's stock price.
Additional information concerning these and other risk factors affecting
Ligand's business can be found in prior press releases available via www.ligand.com
as well as in Ligand's public periodic filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.
Ligand disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements beyond the date of this release. This caution
is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
John Higgins, President and CEO
or
Jennifer
Capuzelo, Investor Relations
jcapuzelo@ligand.com
858-550-7584
or
LHA
Don
Markley, 310-691-7100
dmarkley@lhai.com
Source: Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Released June 24, 2013