InteKrin Therapeutics, Inc. Appoints Former Amgen Clinical Development Executive Chief Medic...( LOS ALTOS Calif. Nov. 8 /- InteKr...),Health

LOS ALTOS, Calif., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- InteKrin Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel drugs for the treatment of diabetes and cardio-metabolic diseases, announced today that Alex M. DePaoli M.D. has joined the company as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. DePaoli will be a member of InteKrin's senior management team and will be responsible for the clinical development of the Company's pipeline of products.

"We are extremely pleased to have a seasoned world-class drug developer of Alex's caliber join the company," said Denny Lanfear, InteKrin Chief Executive. "Alex joins us as we prepare to initiate the Phase IIb study for our lead compound INT131, a non-TZD selective PPAR-gamma modulator (SPPARM) licensed from Amgen earlier this year. While at Amgen, Alex was broadly responsible for the metabolic and endocrine therapeutic area and has been closely involved with multiple novel treatment strategies. His decision to join InteKrin and direct INT131's further development is a strong endorsement of his confidence in its therapeutic potential. The addition of such a highly regarded drug developer and clinician to the team is very positive for the Company."

"I am thrilled to be joining the team at InteKrin and to have the opportunity to advance INT131 into Phase IIb in early 2008," said Dr. DePaoli. "This moiety is the result of a 10-year comprehensive scientific program at Tularik and Amgen resulting in what could be a significant clinical advancement in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. Insulin resistance is the key etiological feature to the onset and subsequent progression of the disease and as a true SPPARM, INT131 promises insulin sensitization benefits without the edema, fluid retention and weight gain exhibited by the TZDs."

Dr. DePaoli joins InteKrin after more than 16 years of experience in the diabetes and obesity field. He trained in Clinical and
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