A first-in-class pharmacological treatment for type 2 diabetes

Purpose and goal

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the main global threats to public health. The overall project objective is to develop a first-in-class T2D treatment, based on small-molecule inhibitors of a novel key mediator STK25. The specific aim was to advance the level of project technology maturity by (i) demonstrating in vivo nonclinical proof-of-principle for the efficacy of STK25 inhibitors, (ii) performing novelty searches and submitting IP application covering the structures, (iii) intense business development. The main project objectives have been successfully reached (see Results).

Expected results and effects

The main project objectives have been reached: (i) We demonstrate that STK25 inhibitors efficiently reverse glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and liver steatosis in obese mice, providing in vivo proof-of-principle for the efficacy (ii) FTO analyses and novelty searches have confirmed the novelty of the STK25 inhibitor structures and the priority IP application has been compiled (iii) The program was presented at scientific and BD conferences (BIO International, BioJapan; BIO-Europe) and these dialogues have demonstrated a high interest level from potential partners.

Planned approach and implementation

The results strongly support that small-molecule STK25 inhibitors provide a new strategy to treat patients with T2D but also metabolic liver disease such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). BD effort has also validated that there is high level of interest in this project from potential partner companies. Intense collaboration between partners Sprint Bioscience, GU Ventures, and Dr. M. Mahlapuu’s research group has developed and a new start-up biotech company Scandicure, fully focused on STK25 inhibitors, has been formed.