Exenatide. Amylin/Eli Lilly.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc and Eli Lilly & Co are co-developing exenatide (AC-2993; synthetic exendin-4), a 39-amino acid, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist derived from the venom of the Gila monster lizard (Heloderma suspectum) as a potential injectable treatment for type 2 diabetes. The first phase III trial (exenatide as a monotherapy) was initiated in December 2001. In January 2002 the second phase III trial, of exenatide in conjunction with sulfonylureas, was initiated and in March 2002, Amylin initiated the third phase III trial, of exenatide in combination with metformin and sulfonylureas.