Corcept Therapeutics announced that Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) has agreed to fund studies to test the effectiveness of Corcept's selective GRII receptor antagonist, CORT 108297, in rat models of olanzapine induced weight gain.

Corcept has previously published the results of studies in rats that demonstrated that Corlux, a potent GRII (cortisol) receptor antagonist, both reduced the weight gain associated with the ongoing use of olanzapine and mitigated the weight gain associated with the initiation of treatment with olanzapine. In August of 2007, Corcept also announced that the results of a clinical trial in healthy men indicated that Corlux mitigated the weight gain associated with the initiation of treatment with olanzapine. Lilly supplied olanzapine and provided the funds for this human proof of concept study.

In addition to blocking the GR-II (cortisol) receptor, Corlux is a potent blocker of the PR (progesterone) receptor. CORT 108297 blocks the GRII receptor but does not have affinity for the PR receptor.

"Weight gain and alterations in metabolic efficiency have been observed for many years in patients with high circulating cortisol" said Joseph K Belanoff, chief executive officer of Corcept Therapeutics. "While it is not fully understood why the group of medications known as atypical antipsychotic medications, including olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel) and clozapine (Clozaril), are associated with varying degrees of treatment emergent weight gain, hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus, it is possible that a cortisol receptor antagonist may eventually prove to be useful in patients who need to take these medications. Lilly has been vigilant in examining the metabolic changes associated with olanzapine; we are very pleased to continue our work with them and are appreciative of their support."

Corcept is a pharmaceutical company engaged in the development of drugs for the treatment of severe psychiatric and metabolic disorders.