Diabetes: New Mechanisms, New Opportunities

Panelists in the diabetes panel stressed the importance of the growing prevalence of the disease – it’s expected to more than double by 2030. Those are big numbers, particularly because diabetes is the number one cause of preventable blindness. There is a light on the horizon - several new treatments for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes:

• XOMA - two current trials for Type 2 diabetes. XOMA’s drug could be administered once a month versus once a day, making compliance more manageable.
   
• Biodel, Inc. - new treatment for Type 1 diabetes that is currently in Phase 3 trials and showing strong results. VIAject is designed to absorb more rapidly in the body. In addition, it disperses more quickly from the body.
   
• Tolerx, Inc. also has a new mechanism for treating Type 1 diabetes, the company is in Phase 2 trials of an anti CD3 therapy. Tolerx’s work focuses on preserving the Beta cells that are remaining at the time of diagnosis.