Exclusive agreement gives company a series of indirect AMPK activators.

Makoto Life Sciences gained exclusive rights to Mercury Therapeutics’ (MTI) lead series of high-potency activators of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.


MTI will transfer all assets related to its MT-39 series of indirect AMPK activators, including materials, research notes, synthetic routes, and the structures of over 40 compounds. MTI will also advise Makoto on further development.


While MTI’s internal R&D program focuses on small molecules that directly activate AMPK, the MT-39 series of compounds are indirect AMPK activators. MTI reports that it has identified congeners with low nanomolar activities and efficacy in animal models of glucose metabolism. The candidates are expected to improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetics and lower other risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.

Previous articleInvestigators Discover Novel SNP in FTO Gene Linked to Obesity in African American and Caucasian Children
Next articleApoptosis Protein Found to Have a Hand in Glioblastoma Spread