How it started
1987–1992: Founding and IPO
In 1987, Amylin Pharmaceuticals was co-founded by Howard E. Greene Jr., former CEO of San Diego biotech pioneer Hybridtech, to develop a treatment for diabetes from a synthetic analog of amylin. Amylin was discovered by researchers at Oxford University earlier that year. Greene was CEO from 1987 to 1996. Amylin completed its IPO in 1992.
1992–1998: Invention of Pramlintide and partnership with Johnson & Johnson
Amylin, in its natural form, is sticky, clumping on needles and forming little rocks in the pancreas. To create a synthetic version that was more reliable and easy to work with, researchers at Amylin Pharmaceuticals altered amino acids in the molecule. The result was a new drug named pramlintide.
In 1995, Amylin Pharmactietucals signed an agreement with Johnson & Johnson's LifeScan division to further develop pramlintide. A Phase II study made public in January 1997 showed that pramlintide was safe to mix with leading short-acting and intermediate-acting commercial insulin products, with preliminary results suggesting it might improve glycemic control.
Initial Phase III trial results released in August 1997 demonstrated statistically significant results for type 1 (juvenile-onset) diabetes, helping modestly to improve glucose control without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) while also improving weight and cholesterol levels. In patients with adult-onset type 2 diabetes, pramlintide showed significant benefits at six months but not after 12 months. In 1998, Johnson & Johnson terminated its partnership with Amylin.
From Wikipedia’s article on Amylin Pharmaceuticals, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3