Resverlogix, a Canadian clinical stage cardiovascular company, has initiated an exploratory phase II clinical trial in patients with pre-diabetes mellitus to examine the effects of RVX-208 and ApoA-I production on glucose metabolism.

The trial is being conducted in collaboration with Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and will examine insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and other parameters of importance in individuals with pre-diabetes mellitus. Twenty patients will be enrolled in Australia, with data expected in the first half of 2014.

The foundation of this trial builds upon the actions of RVX-208 and the knowledge that this compound triggers a key epigenetic pathway resulting in enhanced ApoA-I protein production to raise the body's level of functional HDL particles. The effect of newly created ApoA-I/HDL may help to preserve pancreatic cells that make and secrete insulin. Increased abundance of insulin in subjects with pre-diabetes mellitus may prevent or substantially delay the progression towards diabetes mellitus. The estimated trial expense will be less than $1MM CDN with an approximate split in costs of 50/50 between Resverlogix and the Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute.