Anji Pharma acquires late-stage clinical asset for diabetics with CKD

Sino-American drug developer Anji Pharmaceuticals said yesterday that it has acquired global development rights for a novel delayed-release formulation of metformin (Metformin DR) with applications in diabetic patients.

Originally developed by San Diego-USA-based Elcelyx Therapeutics, Metformin DR is an investigational product designed to target metformin delivery to the lower small intestine. In a recent Phase IIb study with 571 enrolled subjects, Metformin DR afforded robust glucose lowering with significantly reduced systemic exposure, demonstrating a tolerability profile potentially suitable for type 2 diabetes patients who are currently restricted or contraindicated to metformin use (due to impaired renal function) or those with poor tolerance to other metformin regimens.

Aims to start Ph III study this year