Report: Grand Rapids, Mich., company seeks to bring diabetes drug alternatives to market

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Metabolic Solutions Development Co. is looking to bring an alternative diabetes drug to market, according to published reports.

The company is said to be in the end stages of Phase 2A clinical studies involving diabetic patients. The new treatment may help Type 2 diabetics control their blood glucose levels without producing the harmful side effects diabetes drugs currently on the market. Those side effects include weight gain, high blood pressure and a condition that leads to edema.

“Type 2 diabetes is a very complicated disease, but most patients ultimately die from cardiovascular disease,” said Mark Olesnavage, CEO. “Weight gain, high blood pressure and edema can increase those risks. We believe that this is the first time a West Michigan company has come up with a new drug compound that’s in Phase 2 clinical trials. After Upjohn pulled out of the state, there is no one doing drug development, and we are a little startup that’s already undertaking the trials.”