Ghrelin Antagonism

Elixir has internally discovered and developed a series of potent, small molecule antagonists that block the ghrelin receptor. The Company believes its ghrelin antagonists represent a potential novel approach to treating metabolic diseases, having confirmed the favorable effects of these compounds across a range of metabolic parameters in animal models.

Oral administration of Elixir's ghrelin antagonists in animal models of diet-induced obesity and early diabetes resulted in metabolic effects similarly favorable to those observed in the knock-out models with respect to blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, HbA1c, triglycerides, total cholesterol, liver fat, body weight and white fat when compared to placebo.

Subject to identification of a product candidate and successful completion of IND enabling studies demonstrating acceptable safety and efficacy, the Company expects to commence human clinical trials with a ghrelin antagonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in the fourth quarter of 2008.

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