Drug firm Zydus Cadila today said that it has received approval from the government for conducting phase one clinical trials of its molecule -- Zyogi -- meant for the treatment of diabetes.
The company has received phase one clinical trial permission from the Drug Controller General of India for Zyogi -- a Glucon Like Peptide-1 agonist, Zydus Cadila said in a statement.
"This novel molecule would address unmet medical needs in treating diabetes. It holds promising potential in the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity market," Zydus Cadila Chairman and Managing Director Pankaj R Patel said.
The global anti-diabetic market was estimated at $24 billion in 2008.
A new class of anti-diabetic drugs called Glucon Like Peptide-1 came to the fore in May 2005 when the first molecule of this class was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Zyogi would represent a next generation of GLP-1 agents as it can be taken orally, instead of injected.
At present, 41 million people are affected by diabetes and the number is expected to rise to 70 million by 2025.