Akesis Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive Results from its Phase IIa Trial of AKP-020 for Type 2 Diabetes

Akesis Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive Results from its Phase IIa Trial of AKP-020 for Type 2 Diabetes

Jun 17, 2008
SAN DIEGO-- Akesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCBB: AKES), an emerging diabetes drug-development company, today announced positive results of its preliminary analysis from its placebo-controlled Phase IIa trial designed to test the safety and efficacy of AKP-020, a novel vanadium compound, in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

In this single blinded study seven type 2 diabetic subjects were dosed with AKP-020 and two with placebo for 28 days. Over the 28-day period, both placebo subjects showed an increase in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels. In contrast, in 5 out of the 7 subjects on active drug treatment, there was a consistent decrease in FPG (range between subjects: 10%-43%); 2 of the treated subjects showed variable responses (range: +20% to -9%). The average change of the group was significant compared to the group average baseline (p<0.05). Similarly, the average reduction in the Area Under the Curve (AUC) for the 2h oral glucose tolerance test was over 10% (p<0.05).

The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) are usually measured over 3 months for definitive demonstration of anti-diabetic activity. Evaluating the trend out to day 28, in the 2 placebo subjects there was a consistent increase up to 0.5% in absolute terms, or a variable response, respectively. In the treatment arm, in 2 subjects there was a consistent decrease of 0.5% and 1.1%, in 3 subjects essentially no change, and in the final 2 subjects an increase of 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively. After treatment the average HbA1c continued to decline in the treatment group. Akesis plans to determine the statistical significance of these results in future trials.

Finally, the Hyperglycemic-Euglycemic clamp data showed 5 out of 7 subjects had increased their glucose metabolic rate (increased ability to dispose of circulating plasma glucose); in one case the rate nearly doubled over the course of the study. No drug related adverse events were observed during the study.

‘¯?We are delighted by the robustness of these initial findings in this Phase IIa trial and we look forward to studying the safety and potential treatment benefits of AKP-020 in additional diabetic patients in subsequent studies,‘¯? said Jay Lichter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Akesis. ‘¯?We have seen consistent results across multiple measures of efficacy with good tolerability. Although this analysis is preliminary, the number of subjects was small, and the findings need to be submitted to the FDA for their evaluation, we feel that these results indicate additional studies are warranted.‘¯?

AKP-020 is the product designation for a novel vanadium compound otherwise known as bis(ethylmaltolato)oxovanadium (IV), or BEOV. The compound was invented and developed by University of British Columbia researchers Chris Orvig, professor of chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences, and John McNeill, Ph.D., professor and dean emeritus, pharmaceutical sciences, and is licensed exclusively to Akesis. Professors Orvig and McNeill, who are experts in the study of metal chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences, helped to advance the BEOV program through Phase I clinical trials. They also are members of the Akesis Scientific Advisory Board.

About Akesis Pharmaceuticals
Akesis Pharmaceuticals has a pipeline of innovative oral product candidates for the treatment of diabetes and related metabolic disorders. These product candidates are supported by issued and filed U.S. patents for both prescription and over-the-counter treatments that combine anti-diabetic trace minerals with certain classes of diabetes oral agents. Akesis' product candidates have demonstrated preliminary evidence of efficacy in lowering and controlling blood glucose levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Blood sugar control via oral drugs represents a market opportunity in the billions of dollars, as reports indicate that approximately 20 million people suffer from diabetes in the United States alone. More information can be found at www.akesis.com.

Corporate Offices
4225 Executive Square
Suite 430
La Jolla, CA 92037

Phone: 858.454.4311
Fax: 858.348.2183

Mailing Address:
888 Prospect Street,
Suite 320
La Jolla, CA 92037

Email address
info@akesis.com