Phase I/II Hepato-specific Glucokinase Activator
Larry H. Bernstein, MD, FCAP, Curator
LPBI
Advinus Therapeutics announced that it has successfully completed a 14-day POC study in 60 Type II diabetic patients on its lead molecule, GKM-001, a glucokinase activator. The results of the trial show effective glucose lowering across all doses tested without any incidence of hypoglycemia or any other clinically relevant adverse events.
GKM-001 is differentiated from most other GK molecules that are in development, or have been discontinued, due to its novel liver selective mechanism of action.
GKM-001 belongs to a novel class of molecules for treatment of type II diabetes. It is an activator of Glucokinase (GK), a glucose-sensing enzyme found mainly in the liver and pancreas. Being liver selective, GKM-001 mostly activates GK in the liver and not in pancreas, which is its key differentiation from most competitor molecules that activate GK in pancreas as well.
GKM 001 in pipeline for Diabetes by Advinus |

Advinus Therapeutics Private L,
A glucokinase activator for treatment of type II diabetes, currently in PI. Advinus is actively exploring partnership options to expedite further development and WW marketing of GKM-001.
Company | Advinus Therapeutics Ltd. |
Description | Activator of glucokinase (GCK; GK) |
Molecular Target | Glucokinase (GCK) (GK) |
Mechanism of Action | Glucokinase activator |
Therapeutic Modality | Small molecule |
Latest Stage of Development | Phase I/II |
Standard Indication | Diabetes |
Indication Details | Treat Type II diabetes |
PATENT
https://www.google.co.in/patents/WO2009047798A2?cl=en
Example Cl : (-)-{5-ChIoro-2-[2-(4-cyclopropanesulfonylphenyI)-2-(2,4- difluorophenoxy)acetylamino]thiazol-4-yl}-acetic acid, ethyl ester
1H NMR(400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 1.06-1.08 (m, 2H), 1.30 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H), 1.33-1.38 (m, 2H), 2.42-2.50 (m, IH), 3.73 (d, J=2 Hz, 2H), 4.22 (q, J=7.2 Hz ,2H), 5.75 (s, IH), 6.76- 6.77 (m, IH), 6.83-6.86 (m, IH), 6.90-6.98 (m, IH), 7.73 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.96 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 9.96 (bs, IH). MS (EI) m/z: 571.1 and 573.1 (M+ 1; for 35Cl and 37Cl respectively).
Examples C2 and C3 were prepared in analogues manner of example (Cl) from the appropriate chiral intermediate:
Example Dl : (+)-{5-Chloro-2-[2-(4-cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-2-(2,4- difluorophenoxy)acetylamino]thiazol-4-yl}acetic acid, ethyl ester
Advinus’ GK-activator Achieves Early POC for Diabetes
November 29 2011
Partnership Dialog Actively Underway
Advinus Therapeutics, a research-based pharmaceutical company founded by globally experienced industry executives and promoted by the TATA Group, announced that it has successfully completed a 14-day POC study in 60 Type II diabetic patients on its lead molecule, GKM-001, a glucokinase activator. The results of the trial show effective glucose lowering across all doses tested without any incidence of hypoglycemia or any other clinically relevant adverse events.
The clinical trials on GKM-001 validate the company’s pre-clinical hypothesis that a liver selective Glucokinase activator would not cause hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar), while showing robust efficacy.
“GKM-001 is differentiated from most other GK molecules that are in development, or have been discontinued, due to its novel liver selective mechanism of action. GKM-001 has a prolonged pharmacological effect and a half-life that should support a once a day dosing as both mono and combination therapy.” said Dr. Rashmi Barbhaiya, MD & CEO, Advinus Therapeutics. He added that Advinus is actively exploring partnership options to expedite further development and global marketing of GKM-001.
GKM-001 belongs to a novel class of molecules for treatment of type II diabetes. It is an activator of Glucokinase (GK), a glucose-sensing enzyme found mainly in the liver and pancreas. Being liver selective, GKM-001 mostly activates GK in the liver and not in pancreas, which is its key differentiation from most competitor molecules that activate GK in pancreas as well. The resulting increase in insulin secretion creates a potential for hypoglycemia-a risk GKM-001 is designed to avoid. Advinus has the composition of matter patent on GKM-001 for all major markets globally. Both the Single Ascending Dose data, in healthy and type II diabetics, and the Multiple Ascending Dose Study in Type II diabetics has shown that the molecule shows effective glucose lowering in a dose dependent manner and has excellent safety and tolerability profile over a 40-fold dose range. The pharmacokinetic properties of the molecule support once a day dosing. GKM-001 has the potential to be “First-in-Class” drug to address this large, growing and yet poorly addressed market.
Advinus also has identified a clinical candidate as a back-up to GKM-001, which is structurally different. In its portfolio, the company has a growing pipeline for COPD, sickle cell disease, inflammatory bowel disease, type 2 diabetes, acute and chronic pain and rheumatoid arthritis in various stages of late discovery and pre-clinical development.
Advinus Therapeutics team discovers novel molecule for treatment of diabetes
- The first glucokinase modulator discovered and developed in India
- A new concept for the management of diabetes for patients, globally
- 100 per cent ‘made in India’ molecule for the treatment of diabetes
- IND approved by DGCI, Phase I clinical trial shows excellent safety and tolerance profiles with efficacy
Bangalore: Advinus Therapeutics (Advinus), the research-based pharmaceutical company founded by leading global pharmaceutical executives and promoted by the Tata group, today, announced the discovery of a novel molecule for the treatment of type II diabetes — GKM-001.The molecule is an activator of glucokinase; an enzyme that regulates glucose balance and insulin secretion in the body.
GKM-001 is a completely indigenously developed molecule and the initial clinical trials have shown excellent results for both safety and efficacy.
“Considering past failures of other companies on this target, our discovery programme primarily focused on identifying a molecule that would be efficacious without causing hypoglycaemia; a side effect associated with most compounds developed for this target.
“Recently completed Phase I data indicate that Advinus’ GKM–001 is a liver selective molecule that has overcome the biggest clinical challenge of hypoglycaemia. GKM-001 is differentiated from most other GK molecules in development due to this novel mechanism of action,” said Dr Rashmi Barbhaiya, MD and CEO, Advinus Therapeutics.
He further added, “We are very proud that GKM-001 is 100 per cent Indian. Advinus’s discovery team in Pune discovered the molecule and entire preclinical development was carried out at our centre in Bangalore. The Investigational New Drug (IND) application was filed with the DGCI for approval to initiate clinical trials in India within 34 months of initiation of the discovery programme. Subsequent to the approval of the IND, we have completed the Phase I Single Ascending Dose study in India within two months.”
GKM-001 is a novel molecule for the treatment of type II diabetes. It is the first glucokinase modulator discovered and developed in India and has potential to be both first or best in class. The success in discovering GKM-001 is attributed to the science-driven efforts in Advinus laboratories and ‘breaking the conventional mold’ for selection of a drug candidate. Advinus has ‘composition of matter’ patent on the molecule for all major markets globally. Glucokinase as a class of target is considered to be novel as currently there is no product in the market or in late clinical trials. The strategy for early clinical development revolved around assessing safety (particularly hypoglycaemia) and early assessment of therapeutic activity (glucose lowering and other biomarkers) in type II diabetics. The Phase I data, in both healthy and type II diabetics, shows excellent safety and tolerability over a 40-fold dose range and desirable pharmacokinetic properties consistent with ‘once a day’ dosing. The next wave of clinical studies planned continues on this strategy of early testing in type II diabetics.
Right behind the lead candidate GKM-001, Advinus has a rich pipeline of back up compounds on the same target. These include several structurally different compounds with diverse potency, unique pharmacology and tissue selectivity. Having discovered the molecule with early indication of wide safety margins, desired efficacy and pharmacokinetic profiles, the company now seeks to out-licence GKM-001 and its discovery portfolio.
patent
wo 2008104994
wo 2008 149382
WO2008104994A2* | 25 Feb 2008 | 4 Sep 2008 | Advinus Therapeutics Private L | 2,2,2-tri-substituted acetamide derivatives as glucokinase activators, their process and pharmaceutical application |
///////GKM 001, pipeline, Diabetes, Advinus, type II diabetes, glucokinase modulator, Rashmi Barbhaiya
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