Singapore: India based drug company, Zydus, has initiated Phase III trials of Lipaglyn (Saroglitazar) to evaluate its safety and efficacy in patients suffering from lipodystrophy.

The drug is already approved in India for treating diabetic dyslipidemia and hypertriglyceridemia.

Lipodystrophy is a problem with the way the body produces, uses, and stores fat. Inherited lipodystrophies are caused by mutations in a gene. Acquired lipodystrophies are caused by medications, autoimmune mechanisms or unknown mechanisms. Patients with lipodystrophy suffer from metabolic disorders including lipid disorder and insulin resistance that leads to diabetes. These disorders can also increase the risk for other problems such as heart or liver disease.

Mr Pankaj R Patel, chairman and managing director, Zydus Group, said, "Following the launch of Lipaglyn in India we continue to pursue additional clinical development in indications having significant unmet needs such as lipodystrophy. The results from the previously conducted Phase II studies in patients with lipodystrophy have been encouraging and we are hopeful of extending the development of Lipaglyn for the treatment of lipodystrophy".