Poxel SA, a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to novel treatments for type 2 diabetes, recently announced positive clinical and preclinical data on the company’s lead products, Imeglimin and PXL770. The data were presented at the World Congress on Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Diseases (WCIRDC), held in Los Angeles.
Imeglimin is an oral therapeutic agent for diabetes that acts by targeting the mitochondrial dysfunction associated with the disease. The drug has a unique mechanism of action over mitochondria bioenergetics in the three main organs involved in glucose homeostasis: the liver, pancreas and muscle.
At the congress, researchers presented clinical data from an 18-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 2 trial showing that Imeglimin can be used as a monotherapy for type 2 diabetes, as it improves insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in diabetic patients. In terms of safety, Imeglimin exhibited a positive safety profile, and was well-tolerated.
PXL770 is a direct AMPK (5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) activator currently undergoing proof-of-concept studies. AMPK acts as a sensor and regulator of energy, which maintains the cellular homeostasis and consequently is important for diabetes management. PXL770 is not only an anti-diabetic agent but also a therapy for lipid-related abnormalities, which have been observed in a majority of diabetes patients and can lead to cardiovascular incidents.
Preclinical data on PXL770 was shown at the congress for the first time. Researchers revealed that PXL770 can significantly improve glycemic control in an obese type 2 diabetes animal model after six weeks of treatment, and also improve the animal’s lipid profile, and normalize plasma and liver triglycerides levels. The team also reported that PXL770 significantly increased the activity of AMPK in muscle and the liver. The company believes that PXL770 has great potential as a novel treatment option for type 2 diabetes, offering additional benefits regarding lipid abnormalities.
“The data announced last week are part of our initiative to confirm Imeglimin’s novel mechanism of action in patients which further establishes its potential as an innovative treatment for type 2 diabetes,” said Thomas Kuhn, CEO of Poxel, in a press release. “In addition, Poxel continues to solidify its leadership position in this therapeutic area with data on PXL770, our next pipeline program, which will enter the clinic at the end of the year.”
