A novel agent, LX9211 (Lexicon Pharmaceuticals), has demonstrated promise in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy in phase 2 clinical trial results.
The agent is a first-in-class inhibitor of adaptor-associated kinase 1 (AAK1), with that target having been identified through Lexicon and Bristol Myers Squibb collaboration on screening over 3,000 mouse genetic knockout lines (J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2016;358[3]:371-386). The results of the screening and mechanism of action of the agent were