Eiger Announces Industry Veteran Lisa Porter, M.D. to Lead Development of Exendin 9-39 for the Treatment of Post-Bariatric Hypoglycemia
"Dr. Porter brings over 15 years of experience in developing medicines for diabetes and metabolic diseases with a singular focus on bringing innovative therapies to patients with high unmet need," said
Dr. Porter was most recently Chief Medical Officer of
"Eiger and
Eiger is developing a proprietary, novel liquid formulation of exendin 9-39 which in dog studies has demonstrated a greater than two-fold increase in peak plasma concentrations compared to the original lyophilized powder of exendin 9-39. Development of a liquid formulation of exendin 9-39 represents an opportunity for lower dosing and once on the market, would eliminate the need for patients to dissolve powder in saline, which could be a more convenient product presentation for patients. Eiger is evaluating the new exendin 9-39 liquid formulation in patients in the ongoing MAD study and also in a Phase 1 PK study scheduled for Q2 2017, both of which will inform the next, larger Phase 2 study planned for second half 2017.
About Insulin, GLP-1, and Exendin 9-39
Insulin is the principal physiologic hormone secreted to control high blood glucose levels. Abnormal increases in insulin secretion can lead to profound hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), a state that can result in significant morbidities, including seizures, brain damage, and coma. GLP-1 is a gastrointestinal hormone that is released postprandially from the intestinal L-cells. GLP-1 binds to GLP-1 receptors on the beta cells of the pancreas and increases the release of insulin. In patients with PBH,
GLP-1-mediated insulin secretion is dysfunctionally exaggerated.
Exendin 9-39 is a 31-amino acid peptide that selectively targets and blocks GLP-1 receptors, normalizing insulin secretion by the pancreas, and thereby reducing postprandial hypoglycemia. Exendin 9-39 is being investigated as a novel treatment for PBH. Exendin 9-39 has been granted orphan designation in the
About Post-Bariatric Hypoglycemia (PBH)
Approximately 150,000-200,000 bariatric surgical procedures are performed each year in
About Eiger
Eiger is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to bringing to market novel products for the treatment of rare diseases. The company has built a diverse portfolio of well-characterized product candidates with the potential to address diseases for which the unmet medical need is high, the biology for treatment is identified, and for which an effective therapy is urgently needed. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.eigerbio.com.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected expenses, prospects, plans and objectives, intentions, beliefs and expectations of management are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by such words as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "project," "target," "will" and other words and terms of similar meaning. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, whether or not pegylated interferon lambda-1a, lonafarnib, ubenimex or exendin 9-39, including SC formulation, may be further developed and approved, whether Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies of exendin 9-39 will show safety and activity consistent with early clinical results, including the interim results of the MAD study, or that the new liquid formulation will be consistent with results seen with IV and SC formulations of exendin 9-39, statements relating to the availability of cash for Eiger's future operations, Eiger's ability to develop its drug candidates for potential commercialization, the timing of the commencement and number and completion of Phase 2 trials and whether the products can be successfully developed or commercialized. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that Eiger makes, including the risks described in the "Risk Factors" sections in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
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