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Metreleptin: First Global Approval

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Abstract

Metreleptin is an analogue of the human hormone leptin being developed by Amylin Pharmaceuticals (a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb) for the subcutaneous treatment of metabolic disorders including lipodystrophy. The compound is expected to improve insulin sensitivity, hypertriglyceridaemia and hyperglycaemia in patients with lipodystrophy who are unresponsive to conventional treatment. Metreleptin has been approved in Japan as a leptin therapy for the treatment of lipodystrophy. Amylin has also completed a submission for regulatory approval to the US FDA for metreleptin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and/or hypertriglyceridaemia in patients with rare forms of lipodystrophy. Clinical development of the drug is also underway in the USA for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Amgen was previously assessing the use of metreleptin as a treatment for amenorrhoea; however, it appears that development in this indication has been discontinued. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of metreleptin leading to this first approval for lipodystrophy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adis R & D Insight, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, North Shore, 0754, Auckland, New Zealand

    Ken Chou

  2. Adis, Auckland, New Zealand

    Caroline M. Perry

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  1. Ken Chou
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Correspondence to Ken Chou.

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This profile has been extracted and modified from the Adis R&D Insight drug pipeline database. Adis R&D Insight tracks drug development worldwide through the entire development process, from discovery, through pre-clinical and clinical studies to market launch.

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Chou, K., Perry, C.M. Metreleptin: First Global Approval. Drugs 73, 989–997 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-013-0074-7

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