molecules of the month

Context. AZD1656 (AstraZeneca)is an oral glucokinase (GK) activator (GKA) for hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite GK being first reported more than 50 years ago and subsequent extensive research efforts, a GKA is yet to be approved. Most GKAs have failed in clinical development owing to an increased risk of hypoglycemia and gradual loss of efficacy. Consequently, alternative strategies such as the development of hepatoselective molecules and partial activation of the enzyme have been tried, with some of these agents still in clinical development. Previously, we covered dorzagliatin (Hua Medicine), a hepatic and pancreatic dual-acting full GKA that is currently the most advanced in the class. AZD1656, a full GKA, was first reported 10 years ago and has been…