APD668 is a novel, highly potent and orally active glucose-dependent insulinotropic receptor (GDIR) agonist intended to more efficiently stimulate insulin release by beta cells in response to elevated blood glucose levels, and to avoid hypoglycemia. Ortho-McNeil's initial clinical studies evaluated healthy volunteers and patients with type 2 diabetes in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple (14 day) escalating doses of APD668. Based on the data from those studies, Ortho-McNeil has decided to put APD668 on hold and has advanced a potentially more potent Arena discovered GDIR agonist into preclinical development.