Overview
GLP-1 was identified as the first incretin, released post-prandially to stimulate a decrease in blood glucose levels. Unlike administered insulin or other oral agents, GLP-1 does not cause hypoglycemia. Its insulin-releasing effect is glucose-dependent, alongside its ability to delay post-prandial glucose excursion – making it a very attractive target for pharmaceutical development. Byetta (Exendin-4), the first potent and long-lasting GLP-1 mimetic, paved the way for demonstrating the therapeutic value of GLP-1 agonism. Since Byetta’s approval in 2005, a number of GLP-1 agonists are now available such as Liraglutide (Victoza) and Dulaglutide (Trulicity), with more favorable efficacy and delivery options. The differentiation requirement is now set very high for the next generation of therapeutics. This presentation will focus on the development of the latest GLP-1 mimetics and GLP-1/GIP dual agonists, with unparalleled efficacy and ease of delivery.
Speaker
Richard Pittner, PhD
VP of Discovery Biology at Escient Pharmaceuticals
Richard has over 25 years expertise in the discovery, validation, development and in-licensing of novel therapeutics and technologies.
Richard is currently VP of Discovery Biology at Escient Pharmaceuticals, a San Diego start-up company focused on the developing the therapeutic potential of Mrgprs, a novel class of orphan GPCRs, for neuroimmune reactive diseases. Richard remains active as a startup advisor and technology incubator in San Diego, having co-founded OXT Therapeutics (acting Chief Development Officer) and co-founded an incubator group, BioShore Partners, which has recently progressed 2 product concepts into newly incorporated startups – Abvance and Aquros (Scientific Advisor). He spent several years at Eli Lilly and and Pfizer where he led External R&D efforts, identifying, evaluating and in-licensing external drug assets. Previously, he spent 15 years at Amylin as Head of Discovery Biology developing novel peptide therapeutics for metabolic diseases (including Byetta and Symlin). He holds a number of patents, is the co-author of over 40 publications and received his PhD from University of Nottingham.
Partner for this Event
Escient Pharmaceuticals is a privately held biotechnology company that is advancing first-in-class G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs to address serious, unserved medical needs across a broad range of therapeutic indications. We are focused on unleashing the therapeutic potential of specific orphan GPCRs, including the novel family of Mas-Related G-Protein Receptors (Mrgprs), and will initially pursue medicines for neuro-immuno-inflammatory and autoreactive diseases.