Adnan M. M. Mjalli, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TransTech Pharma, said, "We are excited to be partnering our GKA program with Forest. We selected Forest because of its highly dedicated team and leadership that bring a wealth of experience and resources to our compounds. Forest is driven by entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and dedication. We believe this novel class of compounds has the potential to be a major therapeutic advance in the treatment of diabetes. Our GKAs are specifically selected to improve glycemic control without exerting pressure on the pancreas to produce insulin. We are encouraged by early data suggesting potential additional decreases in serum lipids which tend to be elevated in diabetic patients."

Howard Solomon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Forest, said, "We are pleased to partner with TransTech Pharma for this novel and exciting program. Diabetes is a serious disease with a substantial need for new treatments. We are impressed with TransTech's experience in selecting liver targeted GKAs that have the potential to contribute to diabetic control without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. The program may offer a unique and compelling new therapeutic option for the millions of patients who suffer from diabetes and we look forward to advancing it through development."

SOURCE Forest Laboratories, Inc.