Glucose-lowering agent that appears to target mitochondrial bioenergetics

Imeglimin is a first-in-class oral glucose-lowering agent whose mechanism of action targets mitochondrial bioenergetics, resulting in increased insulin secretion in response to glucose, improved glucose uptake by skeletal muscle, and suppression of gluconeogenesis. Imeglimin has been shown to decrease reactive oxygen species overproduction and delay mPTP opening, preventing cell death during oxidative stress, protecting beta-cells. In an animal model, it has been shown to reduce metabolic syndrome-related diabetic cardiomyopathy.