Therapeutics: Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)

Rat studies suggest activating sGC could help treat diabetic nephropathy. In a rat model of diabetic nephropathy, oral 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg doses of an undisclosed sGC activator decreased urinary protein excretion, levels of kidney damage markers and the number of glomerular and interstitial lesions compared with vehicle, and caused cardiovascular side effects only at the highest dose. Next steps could include testing the compound in additional nephropathy models.

Bayer AG and Merck & Co. Inc. market the sGC stimulator Adempas riociguat for pulmonary hypertension and have the compound in Phase II testing for Raynaud's disease. Bayer also has the compound in Phase II testing for diffuse systemic sclerosis...