New Data Presented at the American Diabetes Association 73rd Scientific Sessions Shows Promise for Treatment of Diabetes, Metabolic and Fatty Liver Diseases

CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I June 24, 2013 I  Nimbus Discovery LLC, a biotechnology company discovering novel medicines against exciting but previously inaccessible drug targets, presented preclinical data today that show that the company’s Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACC) allosteric inhibitor, ND-630, improves insulin sensitivity; produces a dose dependent reduction in whole body fat markers; and decreases triglycerides, fatty acids and cholesterol in diet-induced models of obesity. The data were unveiled at the American Diabetes Association’s 73rd Scientific Sessions in Chicago, Ill., in poster 636-P/0636 entitled, “Acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibition by ND-630 inhibits fatty acid synthesis, stimulates fatty acid oxidation, reduces body weight, improves insulin sensitivity, and modulates dyslipidemia in rats.”

 ND-630 is believed to be the first drug-like allosteric inhibitor to bind the biotin carboxylase (BC) domain of ACC with high potency and selectivity. Moreover, alignment of the compound’s liver-muscle tissue exposure results in outstanding pharmacology in a metabolic disease model setting. Together, these attributes offer the potential for robust efficacy and safety in a clinical setting. 

Key findings of the Nimbus compound presented at the conference include:

  •  A proprietary state-of-the-art structure-based drug design approach identified allosteric inhibitors of ACC that uniquely bind to the BC domain of ACC 
  • ND-630 demonstrates in vivo proof of concept in pharmacologically relevant models of diet-induced obesity (DIO)
  • ND-630 is fully optimized for excellent potency and drug-like properties

 “Nimbus has successfully leveraged its cutting-edge computational platform to create a portfolio of highly potent and selective allosteric ACC inhibitors,” said Rosana Kapeller, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Nimbus. “ND-630 has a significant impact on multiple metabolic disease endpoints, giving us the confidence to progress our ACC program rapidly towards clinical development.” 

About Nimbus

 Nimbus Discovery, a biotechnology company, harnesses cutting-edge computational technologies to uncover breakthroughs in small molecule pharmacology. We focus on medically important and highly sought-after disease targets that have proven inaccessible to traditional industry approaches. Our robust pre-clinical pipeline includes novel agents for the treatment of cancer, metabolic disease and inflammation. Nimbus is organized as a constellation of small, nimble teams of experienced drug-hunters deployed across program-focused subsidiary companies. Each team is freed from conventional barriers to scientific success, chartered to create solutions, and geared for program asset deals with leading pharmaceutical companies. Founded in 2009, Nimbus partnered with Schrödinger to invent and apply a physics-based approach that establishes a new standard for rational drug design. Nimbus is backed by world-class life science investors, including Atlas Venture, SR One, Lilly Ventures and Bill Gates. For more information please visit www.nimbusdiscovery.com.

SOURCE: Nimbus Discovery