VIA Pharmaceuticals' DGAT1 Inhibitors Featured in American Diabetes Association Poster Pr...( Preclinical Data Reported by Roche at...)

Preclinical Data Reported by Roche at 69th Scientific Sessions

SAN FRANCISCO, June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIAP), a biotechnology company focused on the development of compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, announced today that preclinical data related to diacylglycerol acyl transferase - 1 (DGAT1) inhibitors will be presented in a poster presentation at the 69th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association June 6, 2009 in New Orleans, LA. The poster will be presented by Roche (SWX: ROG), who licensed its DGAT1 inhibitors exclusively to VIA in December 2008. Dr. Rebecca Taub, Sr. Vice President Research & Development of VIA and a co-author on the poster, managed development of the DGAT1 program at Roche prior to joining the VIA management team.

    The presentation details are as follows:
       Date/Time: Saturday June 6, 2009
                  11:30AM - 1:30PM
                   6:15PM - 7:30PM
       Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
       Session: Insulin Action - Metabolism
       Title: Can DGAT Inhibition Improve Insulin Sensitivity? (Poster 1279-P)

DGAT1 (diacylglycerol acyl transferase-1) is an enzyme that catalyzes triglyceride synthesis and fat storage. Triglycerides are the principal component of fat, which is the major repository for storage of metabolic energy in the body. Overweight and obese individuals have significantly greater triglyceride levels, making them more prone to diabetes and its associated metabolic complications. DGAT1 inhibitors are believed to be an innovative class of compounds that modify lipid metabolism. In studies of obese animals, DGAT1 inhibitors have been shown to induce weight loss and improve insulin sensitization, glucose tolerance and lipid levels. These obs
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