DiaMedica was founded on the discovery that the impairment of a nerve signal from the brain to the liver induces insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is the inability of the body to respond to insulin properly and allow for the uptake of glucose from the blood into cells thereby lowering of overall blood glucose levels.

DiaMedica’s nerve signal mechanism is activated upon the consumption of a meal simultaneously when the pancreas releases the greatest amount of insulin. Normally, after a non-diabetic person consumes a meal, an involuntary brain to liver nerve reflex mechanism is triggered which research suggests is dysfunctional in people with type 2 diabetes. This nerve signaling to the liver results in the release of factors from the liver to the skeletal muscles of the body, which sensitize muscle cells to the action of insulin. This results in an improved ability of insulin to induce glucose uptake from the blood by skeletal muscle cells where it is used as a source of energy.


DiaMedica’s DM-71 is the combination of two approved drugs that attempts to mimic the nerve signal function resulting in the release of an insulin sensitizing molecule. In a 64 patient proof of concept phase II trial, DM-71 met its primary endpoint of successfully lowering HbA1c (glucose in the blood).

DiaMedica’s DM-99/199 program has been developed to mimic the protein being released from the liver for type 2 diabetics. This compound also protects and proliferates cells in the pancreas and brain.



The ability of DM-99 to create new cells through the activation of growth factors and to protect cells via the inhibition of GSK-3B has made its recombinant protein form, DM-199, attractive as a potential treatment for numerous indications. Compounds that inhibit the enzyme GSK-3B have been linked to treating disorders like cancer, heart disease, brain disorders (Alzheimer’s, bi-polar, Huntington’s, and others) as well as viral infection.

While DiaMedica’s current focus is diabetes and neurological disorders, the company believes there is long term potential to treat other unmet disease indications based on the biochemical properties of DM-99.