platelet activation mediated specifically through vasodilator
stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), a biomarker useful for measuring
platelet activity. These effects were concentration-dependent and were
seen irrespective of whether patients were receiving concomitant
therapy with aspirin. The company is building upon these successful
results with a second clinical pharmacology study of the effects of
DG041 when taken with aspirin and Plavix(TM). deCODE is also working on
a once-daily formulation for DG041.
-- Heart attack: DG051 & DG031. In 2007 deCODE completed Phase I and phase
IIa clinical testing of DG051, the company's developmental compound for
the prevention of heart attack. DG051, discovered by deCODE chemists,
is designed to counter risk of heart attack by reining in the activity
of the leukotriene pathway, reducing the production of leukotriene B4
(LTB4). LTB4 is a pro-inflammatory molecule that deCODE's gene
discovery and functional biology work identified as a one of the
factors modulating risk of heart attack. deCODE's clinical studies to
date have showed DG051 to reduce LTB4 production in a dose-dependent
manner, even in cardiovascular patients taking concomitant medications.
deCODE has also completed the reformulation of DG031, its other
compound targeting the leukotriene pathway for the prevention of heart
attack, and is actively seeking a partner with whom to take the next
step in development of its leukotriene program.
-- deCODE has continued to lead the world in the discovery of common
genetic variants linked to significantly increased risk of common
diseases. Since the beginning of 2007, deCODE has discovered novel
variants conferring risk of type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer,
|SOURCE deCODE genetics|
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