Novelion Therapeutics Inc. announced the presentation of data by researchers at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in San Diego. The study, titled 'Rate of Diabetes Remission in Generalized Lipodystrophy Patients Treated with Metreleptin,' was a post-hoc analysis of a prospective, open-label study of 53 patients conducted at the National Institutes of Health. The study assessed the per cent of generalized lipodystrophy (GL) patients with diabetes mellitus who achieved diabetes remission after investigational treatment with leptin replacement therapy (metreleptin). In this post-hoc analysis, treatment with metreleptin allowed one-third (N=18) of patients to stop treatment with all antidiabetic medications, including insulin, for one year or more. The study also suggests that 17% of patients (N=9) achieved remission of diabetes. Fifty-three patients with diabetes mellitus were assessed after one year of leptin replacement therapy for complete, partial or prolonged diabetes remission, defined as: Complete diabetes remission: A1c; Partial diabetes remission: A1c < 6.4% in the absence antidiabetic medications for one year or more; (baseline A1c mean 9.3%); Prolonged remission: A1c < 5.7% in the absence of antidiabetic medications for five years or more; (baseline A1c mean 8.5%). Among the 9 patients who achieved diabetes remission, 6 patients were on insulin and received an average dose of 440 units per day prior to metreleptin treatment. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurring in greater than 10% of patients were: weight loss, abdominal pain, hypoglycemia, decreased appetite, and headache. Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in 4% of patients. The post-hoc analysis was completed by Brown and Elif Oral, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Michigan Medicine. Study drug was provided by Novelion Therapeutics’ subsidiary. GL is characterized by irreversible widespread loss of adipose tissue leading to low leptin levels. The absence of leptin results in the deposition of fat in the liver and muscle tissue and can lead to severe insulin resistance.