DiaMedica Inc., (TSX-V:DMA) is pleased to announce positive final results from its previously announced type 1 diabetes study.
The study was designed to observe the potential protective and/or regenerative effects on beta cells (cells from the pancreas that produce insulin) in a widely accepted type 1 diabetes animal model.
DiaMedica, in consultation with Dr. Maureen Gannon at Vanderbilt University, has confirmed that DM-99 can increase new beta cells by 1,277% (p<0.01) when administered to diseased animals compared to untreated diseased animals. Beta cell proliferation induced by DM-99 trended to be even greater than replication in non-diseased, untreated control animals.
The increased beta cell proliferation led to physiologically important improvements in the diabetic state. Improvements included the restoration of peak levels of plasma insulin to near normal levels (p<0.05) with positive trends of increase in the levels of both pancreatic and plasma insulin, which led to improved blood glucose clearance in a oral glucose tolerance test with DM-99 treatment. On July 8th, DiaMedica reported initial results of the study that included a 68% reduction in fasting blood glucose (p<0.05) with DM-99.
"These results are very provocative and would indicate that this compound offers both a level of protection of beta cells in a type 1 diabetes animal model as well as induces their proliferation," stated Dr. Maureen Gannon, Associate professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism.
"Having a therapeutic compound that can either protect or proliferate beta cells is a key requirement for finding a cure for type 1 diabetes so that therapies involved in replacing or regenerating these cells can work long-term. DM-99 appears to be able to perform both of these functions."
"The ability of DM-99 to significantly increase beta cell replication combined with our earlier data showing the ability of DM-99 to protect against a variety of autoimmune attacks may result in a first in class treatment for type I diabetes", stated Mr. Rick Pauls, President and CEO of DiaMedica. "We are currently developing DM-199, a novel recombinant and humanized form of DM-99 for commercialization."
Source: DiaMedica