DiaMedica's Type 2 Diabetes Antibody Shown to Increase Glucose Infusion Rate by 291%
20 April 2011 - 7:05AM
Marketwired
DiaMedica (TSX VENTURE: DMA) today announces positive and important
activity with DM-204, its lead monoclonal antibody. In a
gold-standard animal model for testing Type 2 diabetes therapies,
administration of DM-204 caused a significant increase in glucose
utilization. This study in combination with the antibody's recently
reported lowering of high blood pressure - the most common
complication experienced by diabetes patients - highlight DM-204's
potential to become a breakthrough treatment for Type 2 diabetes.
In a preclinical study conducted by Invitech Inc. (Hayward, CA),
DM-204's activity was measured using a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic
clamp model. Rats acutely treated with a single dose of DM-204
demonstrated a 291% increase in maximal glucose infusion rate (p
less than 0.0035). This significant increase in glucose disposal
was associated with a 160% overall average increase (p less than
0.0066) in the glucose infusion rate in order to maintain
euglycemia. DM-204 also showed positive results in two other Type 2
diabetes models.
"DM-204 had a clear effect on whole body glucose utilization,"
stated Dr. Alan Cherrington, Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt
University, past President of American Diabetes Association,
Banting Award winner and member of DiaMedica's scientific advisory
board, "I am very keen to see testing of this antibody move
forward".
DM-204 was previously reported to reduce blood pressure in an
earlier study. High blood pressure (hypertension) is the primary
risk associated with Type 2 diabetes, with 70% of Type 2 diabetics
at increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease as a result
of having high blood pressure. As announced on March 2nd 2011, the
antibody lowered systolic blood pressure by 15 mmHg (p less than
0.05).
"These exceptional results of DM-204 for Type 2 diabetes and our
earlier hypertension results offer a promising and highly
differentiated product," said Mr. Rick Pauls, CEO of DiaMedica. "A
monoclonal antibody with potent dual capabilities to normalize
blood glucose and blood pressure could replace currently used
combination therapies of diabetic and anti-hypertensive drugs.
These could be administered as infrequently as once a month. DM-204
has the potential to fundamentally change the treatment regimen for
diabetic patients".
About DiaMedica
DiaMedica is a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel
therapeutic products designed to improve the lives of people with
Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and other large, medically unmet
diseases. DiaMedica's lead product candidate, DM-199, has been
shown to significantly improve glucose metabolism and protect and
proliferate beta cells.
The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the
trading symbol "DMA".
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements made in this press release that are not
historical facts contain forward-looking information that involves
risk and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of
historical facts, which address DiaMedica's expectations, should be
considered forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on
management's exercise of business judgment as well as assumptions
made by and information currently available to management. When
used in this document, the words "may", "will", "anticipate",
"believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and words of similar
import, are intended to identify any forward-looking statements.
You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements. These statements reflect a current view of future
events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties as
contained in the Corporation's filings with Canadian securities
regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The Corporation
undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update, revise or
otherwise publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date
hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events.
Although management believes that expectations are based on
reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these
expectations will materialize.
Contacts: DiaMedica Inc. Rick Pauls President & CEO
204.477.7590 204.453.3745 (FAX) rpauls@diamedica.com
DiaMedica Inc. (TSXV:DMA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024
DiaMedica Inc. (TSXV:DMA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024