TREK2

Lexicon’s Zynquista (sotagliflozin) is an oral dual inhibitor of the sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter types 1 and 2 (SGLT1 and SGLT2). Image Credit: MacroEcon / Shutterstock. Lexicon Pharmaceuticals reaffirmed its plans to seek approval for Zynquista (sotagliflozin) as an adjunct treatment to insulin in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) as part of its Q1 financial report. The US-based company expects to resubmit the new drug application (NDA) for Zynquista to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), following feedback from the agency, by mid-2024. In 2019, the FDA declined to approve the therapy citing safety concerns following a split 8-8 vote from its advisory committee . The FDA advisory committee was particularly concerned about the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication that can become life-threatening if urgent treatment is not administered. The FDA rejection also resulted in Sanofi pulling out of the licensing agreement for Zynquista. Still, Lexicon was able to get approval in 2019 for Zynquista as an adjunctive treatment to insulin in T1D and CKD from the European Medicine Agency (EMA). However, in 2022, the authorisation was withdrawn by the holders of Zynquista’s marketing rights in Europe, Guidehouse Germany, with the company saying it did not wish to “market the product in the EU for commercial reasons”. Zynquista is an oral dual inhibitor of the sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter types 1 and 2 (SGLT1 and SGLT2), which play a role in glucose uptake and reabsorption. The drug was approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure. It was also approved for use in patients with type 2 diabetes, CKD, and other underlying cardiovascular risk factors. It is marketed as Inpefa for the cardiovascular disease indication. See Also: Vertex Pharmaceuticals gets grant for treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency with compound of formula (i) Ono Pharmaceutical gets grant for compound for treating disorders associated with TREK-1 and TREK-2 dysfunction Lexicon is also evaluating sotagliflozin as a treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, with a Phase III trial planned to start in mid-2024. The company has reported $355.6m in cash reserves as of 31 March. If Zynquista gets approved, it will face competition not only from other SGLT-2 inhibitors , including AstraZeneca ’s Farxiga (dapagliflozin), Boehringer Ingelheim’s Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Johnson & Johnson ’s Invokana (canagliflozin), but also from newer innovative therapies such as islet cell transplantation . In June 2023, the FDA approved the first-ever islet cell therapy for T1D, CellTrans’ Lantidra (donislecel). Other therapies in Lexicon’s portfolio include LX9211, a non-opioid therapy for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain; and LX9851, a treatment for obesity and weight management. The company is evaluating LX9211 in a Phase II PROGRESS trial (NCT06203002), with the topline data expected in Q2 2025.

BOSTON, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerevance, a company focused on developing precision novel therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) diseases, today announced plans to present a virtual and onsite poster at the upcoming AD/PD™ 2024 International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases and related neurological disorders, taking place in Lisbon, Portugal from March 5-9, 2024. Presentation details Title: NETSseq reveals deep molecular insights into astrocyte biology and identifies novel therapeutic targets for Alzheimer’s disease Overview: The NETSseq platform produces deep transcriptomic and epigenomic profiles from post-mortem human brain tissue. This technology has revealed novel understandings of astrocyte-specific mechanisms influencing disease progression, including a network of genes involved in glutamate signaling that are down-regulated in diseased and activated astrocytes. One of these genes, KCNK10, is specifically expressed in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and its role in regulating glutamate uptake has been validated. Modulating KCNK10 activity might mitigate neuronal hyperexcitability and neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Presenters: Xiao Xu Session and Date and Time: A02.N. Therapeutic Targets, Mechanisms for Treatment: Astroglia; Poster Shift 2: Friday, March 8 - Saturday, March 9, 2024 Poster Number: 0126 About Cerevance Cerevance is focused on the development of precision treatments for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, prioritizing chronic neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Utilizing a large and growing collection of over 14,000 human brain tissue samples, Cerevance is generating an unprecedented level of expression and epigenetic data thereby enabling the company to identify the most promising targets for the next generation of treatments for CNS disorders. The company uses its proprietary NETSseq platform and advanced machine learning techniques to uncover the gene expression profiles of select cell types to identify novel targets that are uniquely expressed in relevant circuits affected by diseases or are altered in disease states. With the information obtained from its research, combined with the expertise of its team of scientists and drug developers, Cerevance is advancing multiple therapeutics that selectively modulate the discovered targets. These treatments are progressing through clinical development, with CVN424, CVN766, and CVN293 being the furthest along in the pipeline. CVN424 is a first-in-class non-dopamine therapy that shows promise in improving both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease and may also have disease-delaying effects. CVN766 is a potent antagonist of the orexin 1 receptor with high selectivity over the orexin 2 receptor which may benefit a variety of psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, anxiety/panic, binge eating/obesity, substance use disorder, and Prader-Willi Syndrome. CVN293 is a novel blocker of potassium efflux in glia, regulating the inflammasome in individuals living with ALS and Alzheimer's disease. Cerevance’s robust pipeline aims to transform the lives of patients affected by CNS diseases. Contacts Cerevance: Johnna Simoes, ir@cerevance.com Media: Andrew Mielach, amielach@lifescicomms.com, +1-646-876-5868