JNJ picks a PPAR

It would seem that the edema and weight gain associated with the two peroxisome proliferation activated receptor gamma agonists that are marketed for diabetes have left the door wide open for improved versions of these billion-dollar drugs. Yet the last several months have seen pharma companies shelve more than one late-stage next-generation PPAR modulator.

Last week, Johnson & Johnson placed a bet on a Phase II/III PPAR gamma modulator from Metabolex Inc. that has shown a similar ability to lower glucose, so far without the problematic side effects of the marketed drugs...