Insulin rush

One of the hottest ideas in diabetes today is inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV. The two companies with the most advanced compounds in the field - Merck & Co. Inc. and Novartis AG - presented Phase II data at the recent American Diabetes Association meeting, and both have compounds in Phase III trials. But while it used to be the case that a company with a novel target could expect a few years' head start, that is no longer true. Already there is a long line of Phase II and earlier stage competitors in the DPP IV space that are looking to differentiate themselves based on safety and side effect profiles.

Inhibitors of DPP IV are believed to work by enhancing the effects of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1), with the added benefits of oral availability and cleaner side effect profiles. The proof-of-concept is Byetta exenatide from Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMLN, San Diego, Calif.) and Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY, Indianapolis, Ind.), which was recently approved as an adjunctive therapy to improve blood sugar control in patients with Type II diabetes. ...