LAF237 blocks DPP-4 from carrying its task, thus hopefully restoring the normal flow of insulin.
It licensed its first DPP-4 inhibitor in 2000, but the drug caused toxicity in lab animals.
DPP-IV drugs are supposed to help patients control their diabetes with fewer side effects than older medicines.
That prompted Hughes and his team to start developing a compound that would block the activity of DPP-4.
Bristol-Myers (nyse: BMY - news - people ) has a DPP-4 inhibitor in mid-stage trials.
Consider, for example, sitagliptin, a DPP-IV inhibitor developed for the treatment of diabetes.
In studies of monkeys, Galvus and another DPP-4 inhibitor being developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca have caused skin lesions.
In theory, the medicines could affect the immune system, because a receptor on immune cells is very similar to DPP-4.
DPP-4 regulates hundreds of hormones in the body, not just GLP-1, and blocking it can have unintended effects on others.
There are several potential concerns about DPP-4 drugs, clear evidence of them has not turned up in clinical trials so far.
Januvia and Galvus are the leaders of a new class of medicines called DPP-4 inhibitors, which block an enzyme (dipeptyl peptidase 4).
Merck says its tests of DPP-4 inhibitors that also hit related enzymes turned up the side effect in monkeys where its own experiments did not.
In 1995, Tom Hughes came across an insightful paper Jens Holst , a physiologist at the University of Copenhagen, had written about the connection between DPP-4 and GLP-1.
Merck says that its studies have not turned up this side effect, and that Januvia was designed to bind only to the DPP-4 enzyme, reducing the chances of these side effects.
It is in a race with several companies that are taking aim at a novel target, a protein-chewing enzyme called DPP-4 (dipeptidylpeptidase 4) which plays a role in disrupting the production of insulin.
Linagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor.
FORBES: Diabetes Market Booms As Substitutes Sought For Daily Insulin Dosing
The Suicide Act 1961 - which makes assisting suicide illegal - states that the DPP decides on all cases of assisting suicide.
Crossbencher Lord Dear, who led Lords moves in 2008 to veto 42-day pre-charge detention, said the current DPP's views should have "considerable weight".
Former First Lady Callista Mutharika, who went to the police station where her brother-in-law was being held, told agitated DPP supporters that she was disappointed with President Banda.
Members of Cookstown DPP have been told they will be harassed if any controversial loyal order parades are re-routed during the marching season.
BBC: NEWS | UK | Northern Ireland | Loyalist threat to DPP members
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