Vildagliptin

Overview
Vildagliptin, previously identified as LAF237, is a new oral anti-hyperglycemic agent (anti-diabetic drug) of the new dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor class of drugs. Vildagliptin inhibits the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP by DPP-4, allowing GLP-1 and GIP to potentiate the secretion of insulin in the beta cells and suppress glucaon release by the alpha cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

It is currently in clinical trials and has been shown to reduce hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Vildagliptin has been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval, and will be marketed as Galvus by Novartis. The Food and Drug Administration demanded additional clinical data before it can approve vildagliptin including extra evidence that skin lesions and kidney impairment seen during an early study on animals have not occurred in human trials. Vildagliptin is currently approved for use in the European Union, although it is not yet marketed. The recent finding of liver toxicity problems among clinical trial patients could delay the European debut of this drug.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4's role in blood glucose regulation is thought to be through inactivation of GIP and GLP-1.