Muscle is increasingly recognized as central to many biological processes and plays a major role in human health. The loss of muscle mass and strength is ultimately directly related to the cause of death in neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Severe muscle loss in cancer leads to serious complications and a poor prognosis. Muscle loss is a natural consequence of aging, similar to bone loss, resulting in decreased muscle strength (frailty), reduced mobility and an increased risk of a fall and broken bones. In metabolic diseases, an imbalance of diet, energy utilization and skeletal muscle leads to poor metabolic function. By increasing muscle mass there is a corresponding decrease in fat mass and improvements in metabolic function.

About ACE-031

ACE-031, a soluble fusion protein based on the activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB), is a biologic therapeutic that inhibits signaling through the ActRIIB receptor. By preventing signaling through ActRIIB, ACE-031 increases muscle mass and strength. In numerous and varied animal models of disease, ACE-031 significantly increased muscle mass and muscle strength. ACE-031, and a related molecule ACE-435, have shown encouraging preclinical results in animal models of age-related muscle loss, neuromuscular disease, cancer treatment-related muscle loss and metabolic diseases. ACE-031 is currently being studied in a Phase 1 multiple dose clinical trial in healthy volunteers. ACE-435 is expected to enter clinical trials in 2010.

acceleronpharma