Isis Pharma shares rise 7% on diabetes drug test results

16 September 2003 16:54  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (CNI)--Shares of Isis Pharmaceuticals rose 7% or 52 cents to $7.65 Tuesday after the company reported its experimental diabetes treatment ISIS 113715 produced promising results in early stage testing.

Isis said ISIS 113715 enhances insulin's ability to transport glucose or blood sugar into cells, according to a Phase 1 study.

The company said it is initiating a Phase 2 clinical program in patients with type 2 diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects nearly 17m people and type 2 diabetes constitutes 90% of those cases.

Jon Holmlund, Isis' vice president of development, said improvement in glucose tolerance as produced by ISIS 113715 is "encouraging."

He added: "The improved insulin sensitivity without hypoglycemia we observed in this trial is consistent with results of preclinical studies in both normal and diabetic animal models. We are rapidly moving ISIS 113715 into Phase 2 trials in patients and are optimistic about the drug's potential in the treatment of type 2 diabetes."

Isis Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops novel human therapeutic drugs. The company has successfully commercialised the world's first antisense product and has 11 antisense products in development.

By: Mike Sheridan
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