Once-monthly exenatide begins phase 1a clinical trials

Once-monthly exenatide begins phase 1a clinical trials: Versartis has announced the start of phase 1a clinical trials for VRS-859, its once-monthly exenatide. The drug, also called E-XTEN, is a fusion protein containing the GLP-1 analog exenatide and the hydrophilic peptide XTEN. Versartis has proposed that the 100 mg monthly dose will be administered in a single subcutaneous injection with a small needle. The phase 1a multi-center, placebo-controlled, single-ascending dose study will investigate the drug's effect on glycemic control for one month in Type 2 diabetes patients after a single dose of VRS-859. Amylin has also recently commenced a phase 2 study for its own once-monthly suspension formulation of exenatide during 2Q10 and expects data in the first half of 2011. Amylin will have a significant advantage if its compound reaches market, given its clinical experience with exenatide.