Diabetes
Lexicon's LX4211 drug candidate is under development as a potential treatment for diabetes.  This compound acts by increasing urinary glucose excretion, thereby lowering blood glucose levels.

About the Disease
Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder associated with abnormally high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is classified as either type 1, which is characterized by severely diminished insulin production, or type 2, which is characterized by moderately diminished insulin production in conjunction with insulin resistance (insensitivity of the tissues of the body to insulin). Insulin, a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels, is required to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life. Diabetes can seriously impair overall quality of life and may lead to multiple complications including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

About the Market
According to the International Diabetes Foundation, more than 246 million people worldwide are afflicted with diabetes, with type 2 diabetes being the most common.  The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that more than 20 million Americans have diabetes.  Diabetes is increasing as the population ages.  Obesity, a leading cause of the disease, is also on the increase.

While weight loss can be an effective way to help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes, many diabetics also need to manage the disease with drugs.  Most diabetics control blood glucose levels by injecting insulin, or by taking newer drugs that either signal the pancreas to produce the right amount of insulin or reduce resistance to insulin.