IP Library Granted Patent US 12,702,667
Granted Patent B2
US 12,702,667 · App. 16/485,773 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

Focal adhesion kinase inhibitor as a therapeutic agent in diabetes

Inventors: Farzad Esni (Pittsburgh, PA); Jing Hu (Pittsburgh, PA)
Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
A61K31/506A61K31/136A61K31/4015A61K31/4439A61K31/5377A61P5/50
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,702,667
App. No.
16/485,773
Granted
Aug 11, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

It is disclosed herein that a FAK inhibitor induces conversion of acinar cells into beta cells. Methods are provided for increasing beta cell proliferation by administering an effective amount of a FAK inhibitor to a subject in need thereof. Methods are also provided for treating a subject with diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a FAK inhibitor.

Claims (30)

1 . A method for treating a subject with type 2 diabetes, comprising:

administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor, wherein the FAK inhibitor is PF-562271, thereby treating the type 2 diabetes in the subject.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting the subject with type 2 diabetes for treatment with the FAK inhibitor.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the FAK inhibitor converts acinar cells into beta cells in the subject.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein treating the type 2 diabetes does not require administration of the FAK inhibitor after blood glucose is normalized.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the FAK inhibitor is administered in a dose of 75 mg, 100 mg, or 125 mg, given once or twice daily.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring beta cell function of the subject.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, plasma glucose levels, plasma insulin levels, serum triglycerides, free fatty acids, and/or HbA1c levels in a sample from the subject.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the FAK inhibitor increases a number of beta cells in the subject.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the FAK inhibitor converts acinar cells into beta cells in the subject.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the FAK inhibitor increases a number of insulin-secreting cells in the islets of Langerhans of the subject.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is human.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the FAK inhibitor reduces plasma glucose levels in the subject.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the FAK inhibitor increases plasma insulin levels in the subject.

14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring plasma glucose levels in a sample from the subject.

15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein treating the type 2 diabetes does not require administration of the FAK inhibitor after blood glucose is normalized.

16 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting acinar-derived beta cells in the subject.

17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a single dose of the FAK inhibitor is administered to the subject.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the FAK inhibitor is not administered in combination with another diabetes medication or treatment.

19 . A method for treating a subject with type 2 diabetes, comprising:

selecting the subject with type 2 diabetes for treatment,

administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of PF-562271, and

subsequently detecting acinar-derived beta cells in the subject,

thereby treating the type 2 diabetes in the subject.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the FAK inhibitor is not administered in combination with another diabetes medication or treatment.

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein blood glucose level of the subject remains normalized one month after treatment with PF-562271 ceases.

22 . A method for treating a subject with type 2 diabetes, comprising:

selecting the subject with type 2 diabetes for treatment, and

increasing an amount of acinar-derived beta cells in the subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of PF-562271 to the subject,

thereby treating the type 2 diabetes in the subject.