SCO-267 is a full agonist of the GPCR GPR40, whose activation stimulates secretions of insulin and incretin. Since no crystal structures were available, the authors used conformational modeling to rationally improve the ligand from a weak lipophilic initial starting point (0.4 uM, clogP 9.4) to a more lipophilically efficient candidate (12 nM [...]

PF-06835919 is an oral first-in-class clinical candidate for NAFLD/NASH targeting ketohexokinase (KHK), an enzyme which initiates the metabolism of fructose. The authors describe a very elegant structure-based design campaign to improve a modestly active, quickly cleared lead molecule into this highly potent, permeable, bioavailable, and [...]

Peptidic GLP-1R agonists have received significant media coverage over the past year. Shortages of the semaglutide-based injectable diabetes medication Ozempic, which accounts for 40% of GLP-1R agonist US market share, have even emerged, driven by overwhelming demand for the weight loss formulation Wegovy, both for treatment of obesity and for short-term weight loss popularized by celebrities on social media. This article reviews the science of danuglipron, recent news, and what makes it different.

Dorzagliatin (Hua Medicine) is an oral dual-acting full glucokinase (GK) activator being developed for type 2 diabetes . More than 50 years since the first report of the role of GK in glucose metabolism, no agents targeting this enzyme have been approved, although not for lack of trying. We recently covered a partial GK activator [...]

Orforglipron is an oral non-peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor partial agonist that entered Ph. III for obesity and type-2-diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This 2020 and 2023 Molecule of the Year nominee (nominated initially back when it was still in Ph. I) was first discovered by Chugai Pharmaceuticals under the name OWL833, then licensed by Eli Lilly for worldwide development under the name LY3502970. The article discusses where it sits in the GLP-1R agonist landscape, why it’s scientifically notable, how it works with illustrations from cryo-EM structures, its synthesis, and more.