AMG-837 is an orally bioavailable partial agonist of the GPR40 (EC50 value 13.5 nM for AMG 837 stimulated Ca2 flux in CHO cells expressing human GPR40) with a superior pharmacokinetic profile. AMG837 stimulated robust glucose-dependent insulin secretion (EC50 value 142±20 nM) in isolated rodent islets, and lowered post-prandial glucose in normal rats. Acute administration of AMG-837 lowered glucose excursions and increased glucose stimulated insulin secretion during glucose tolerance tests in both normal and Zucker fatty rats. The improvement in glucose excursions persisted following daily dosing of AMG 837 for 21-days in Zucker fatty rats. Preclinical studies demonstrated that AMG-837 was a potent GPR40 partial agonist which lowered post-prandial glucose levels. AMG-837 exhibits a potential utility for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Amgen removed AMG-837 from Phase I clinical trials due to concerns over toxicity.