Millennium and Abbott Initiate Phase I Trials of their First Genomically-Derived Drug Target for Obesity

28-Nov-2001

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., and ABBOTT PARK, Ill., November 27, 2001 - Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MLNM) and Abbott Laboratories, (NYSE: ABT) today announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial of MLN4760. This represents the first molecule directed against a genomically-derived target for metabolic disease to emerge from Millennium’s discovery platform and the first to enter into clinical development from the Abbott-Millennium alliance. The alliance was formed in March 2001 to identify and develop novel compounds to treat obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders. The clinical study is being conducted to assess the safety and pharmacokinetic properties of MLN4760 in healthy volunteers.

MLN4760 was synthesized by Millennium and is one of several potent and highly selective molecules that inhibit a novel carboxypeptidase enzyme that may play an important role in regulating the metabolic system. Inhibition of the function of the carboxypeptidase enzyme in knockout mice (where the enzyme has been genetically eliminated) protects against diet-induced obesity and enhances insulin sensitivity. Millennium identified the novel obesity target through the company’s leading target discovery platform and has developed a strong intellectual property position.

"With MLN4760 entering human trials, we realize an important company goal of bringing our first genomically-derived target into clinical development," said Robert Tepper, MD, chief scientific officer and executive vice president, discovery at Millennium. "In addition, MLN4760 represents a major milestone in the Abbott-Millennium partnership and highlights the strength of the alliance in using proprietary genomic and chemical technology platforms to discover and validate druggable targets and to move them through an expedited drug discovery process."

"MLN4760 is an excellent example of combining new genomics technology with traditional lead optimization to identify drug targets with high therapeutic potential," said Terry Opgenorth, Ph.D., divisional vice-president, metabolic disease research at Abbott. "The Abbott-Millennium alliance is well positioned to leverage the combined expertise of both companies in this area of large unmet medical need."

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/6177/millennium-and-abbott-initiate-phase-i-trials-of-their-first-genomically-derived-drug-target-for-obesity.html