Incyte Corporation (INCY)

[biomanbaba]

what really excites me is this one....INCB13739
The concept of 11beta-HSD1 inhibition as a potential therapy for humans has moved a substantial stride forward today with the publication of a Phase II trial of INCB13739 in patients with
type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin. We already know that inhibition of this enzyme is beneficial for rodents with metabolic disease, but what remained crucially unknown was whether the concept was useful in humans and whether the expected endocrine effects of loss of glucocorticoid regeneration in the splanchnic bed would lead to unacceptable side effects. The present data not only show INCB13739 produces a significant lowering of HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance and cholesterol levels without weight gain, but reassure that the endocrine changes appear relatively mild. Crucially, there were no changes in plasma cortisol in the morning and salivary cortisol at night, underlining the compensatory nature of the endocrine changes. Moreover, plasma testosterone levels in males and in females examined and the androgenic target sex hormone-binding globulin were unaltered. Thus, major short-term endocrine side effects appear unlikely with INCB13739 therapy, although these clearly need to be scrutinized in longer-term trials. These encouraging findings should reassure of the value of further studies.