"We are very pleased to begin Phase I human testing of this promising new compound," said Dr. Bruce Sargent, Ph.D., vice president, discovery research & development. "Obesity has become a serious health issue throughout much of the developed world and is a significant risk factor in a host of other health problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory disease and cancer. A new agent that could provide an option to current treatments would provide benefits to patients and generate substantial market opportunities."

Dr. Sargent continued, "The advancement of this compound into Phase I studies is a tribute to the expertise and ingenuity of multiple scientific teams within AMRI, and further validates AMRI's ability to generate intellectual property with commercial potential for our customers. MCH1 receptor antagonism has been long recognized as a potential approach to treatment of obesity; we are excited to be one of the first companies to discover a compound suitable for clinical evaluation."

Yesterday's announcement marks the fourth compound from AMRI's internally funded R&D portfolio to advance into Phase I clinical testing. Previously announced Phase I study programs include two compounds from AMRI's biogenic amines program being studied for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders as part of a licensing agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY), and one from AMRI's proprietary anti cancer program.

SOURCE Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (AMRI)