New diabetes drug testing go-ahead in Victoria

Melbourne-based biotech Dia-B Tech Limited has received approval from The Alfred Human Research Ethics Committee to begin Phase I clinical human testing of its lead diabetes drug compound ISF 402.

The compound will be tested for its safety and efficacy in humans after successfully passing animal trials.

Melbourne-based Nucleus Network will conduct the clinical trials on behalf of Dia-B Tech. Recruitment of volunteers and patients has already commenced.

Professor Zimmet, a member of the Dia-B Scientific Advisory Board, said the imminent move of ISF402 into human trials is a highlight of his lifetime work in the diabetes field.

“This is a really exciting time for Dia-B and shows that Dia-B is at the vanguard of diabetes research in Australia. ISF402 is the first Australian drug to enter clinical trials for the treatment of type 2 diabetes,” he said.

“Current therapies are not perfect and can have unacceptable effects such as weight gain which can be counter productive in getting the best diabetes control,” Professor Zimmet said.

“Dia-B’s ISF402 is an exciting potential oral therapy. Animal studies have confirmed our pre-clinical observation that ISF402 has no observable toxic effect.”