Lexicon Pharma's Experimental Diabetes Drug Shows Potential In Trials

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals released a statement saying that its diabetes drug, LX4211, was successful in reducing the use of insulin during meal times. The phase II clinical trial achieved its primary endpoint. LX4211 reduced the total dose of insulin taken by patients by 32 percent. Patients given the placebo only saw a reduction of 6 percent. Lexicon also said that there were no incidents of extreme adverse effects, such as an increase in hypoglycemia, a dangerous condition which can affect diabetics. It is an oral, first-in-class dual inhibitor of sodium glucose transporters 1 and 2 designed to lower blood pressure through two insulin-independent mechanisms of action.

LX4211 is also undergoing testing for treatment on patients with type-2 diabetes. Back in October, the company said LX4211 reduced blood glucose after a meal in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate-to-severe renal impairment.

Pablo Lapuerta, Lexicon’s CMO, says, “An oral agent benefiting patients with type 1 diabetes through both substantial improvements in glucose control and significant reduction in the use of insulin with no increase in hypoglycemia is both new and clinically meaningful. These results provide a strong rationale for demonstrating the effectiveness of LX4211 as an adjunct to insulin in Type 1 diabetes in a longer-term Phase 3 program.”

 Arthur Sands, who is currently operating as Lexicon’s president and CEO says, “The results from this study provide a clear demonstration of proof-of-concept of LX4211 as an oral, investigational new drug for type 1 diabetes complementing insulin therapy. The magnitude of improved glycemic control by several measures, including HbA1c in only four weeks, and lower insulin requirements are highly encouraging and support the progression of LX4211 into late-stage development for type 1 diabetes.”

According to The Economic Times, Lexicon has been shifting its focus from drug discovery to late-stage studies of its drugs. This shift led to some restructuring that resulted in the letting go of 45 percent of its employees and the loss of its CEO.