Merck was developing MK 8245, an orally active inhibitor of stearoyl CoA desaturase for the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus. MK-8245 is a liver-targeting inhibitor of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) with IC50 of 1 nM for human SCD1 and 3 nM for both rat SCD1 and mouse SCD1, with anti-diabetic and anti-dyslipidemic efficacy. It is in Phase 2 clinical studies for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

LY2608204 is a activator of glucokinase (GK) with EC50 of 42 nM. Eli Lilly is developing LY 2608204 as an orally administered, once-daily therapy for type 2 diabetes. LY-2608204 is in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

AZD-7687 is a potent inhibitor of Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) which was developed by AstraZeneca for the treatment obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. AZD-7687 reached phase I of clinical trials, but was discontinued by unknown reasons.

MBX-2982 is a potential first-in-class treatment for type 2 diabetes that targets G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119), a receptor that interacts with bioactive lipids known to stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Preclinical data indicate that MBX-2982 is a potent selective orally-active GPR119 agonist that functions through a unique dual mechanism of action. First, it acts directly on the beta cell to increase insulin secretion. In addition, MBX-2982 stimulates release of the incretin GLP-1 from the gut. This dual action is unique and may offer improved glucose homeostasis over existing diabetes therapies, with potential for weight loss and improved islet health. MBX-2982 has completed four Phase 1 studies and one Phase 2 study. In the 4-week Phase 2 study in diabetics, MBX-2982 lowered mean weighted glucose and postprandial glucose during an extended mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT). Treatment with MBX-2982 increased insulin, active GLP-1, and total GLP-1 during an extended MMTT. Treatment with MBX-2982 also tended to increase fasting insulin and c-peptide, and decrease fasting triglycerides. In all studies to date, MBX-2982 demonstrated dose-dependent increases in drug exposure with a profile supporting once daily oral dosing that was safe and well tolerated with no serious adverse events, adverse event trends or dose-limiting toxicities. These results provide clinical validation for the potential therapeutic benefits of MBX-2982 as a type 2 diabetes treatment.

TAK-875 (Fasiglifam) is the potent, selective and orally bioavailable GPR40 agonist. The drug was in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Termination phase III development of TAK-875 for the potential treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus was announced in 2013 due to concerns about liver safety.

Pfizer was developing PF-04991532, a potent and selective hepatoselective glucokinase activator. PF-04991532 ameliorates hyperglycemia without causing hepatic steatosis in diabetic rats. F-04991532 reduced plasma glucose concentrations independent of changes in insulin concentrations in a dose-dependent manner both acutely and after 28 days of sub-chronic treatment. PF-04991532 may offer glycemic control without inducing hepatic steatosis supporting the evaluation of tissue specific activators in clinical trials. In 2012, Pfizer discontinued the development of the compound.

Pfizer was developing PF-3882845, an orally available nonsteroidal antagonist of the mineralocorticoid receptor, for the treatment of diabetic nephropathies. PF‐03882845 is a highly potent (IC50 = 6.3‐13.4 nM, 10% fetal bovine serum & IC50 = 0.504–1.11 nM, absence of serum) selective orally bioavailable mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. It is a non‐steroidal pyrazoline, unlike steroidal compounds eplerenone and spironolactone. It does not significantly activate or inhibit human androgen receptor, estrogen receptor alpha, and glucocorticoid receptor. PF‐03882845 has been shown to modestly inhibit the progesterone receptor (PR) yielding a 45‐fold selectivity over PR in a cell‐based functional assay. PF‐03882845 was previously in development for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy — development for this indication was terminated for strategic reasons. An alternative indication of hypertension also was not pursued for strategic reasons.

SRT2104, also known as GSK2245840, is a novel, first in class, highly selective small molecule activator of the NAD + dependent deacetylase SIRT1. SIRT1 has been suggested as putative therapeutic target in multiple age-related diseases including type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemias. SRT2104 in the phase II of clinical trial to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and psoriasis also in the phase I for its use in case of colitis. Also was reported, that we report that SRT2104, penetrated the blood-brain barrier, attenuated brain atrophy, improved motor function, and extended survival in a mouse model of Huntington's disease.

PF-04620110 is an orally active, selective and potent DGAT1 (Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1) inhibitor that inhibits triacylglycerol synthesis in cells and in rodents. PF-04620110 inhibits DGAT-1 with an IC50 of 19 nM and shows high selectivity versus a broad panel of off-target pharmacologic end points. In vivo DGAT-1 inhibition has been demonstrated through reduction of plasma triglyceride levels in rodents at doses of ≥0.1 mg/kg following a lipid challenge. On the basis of this pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic profile, PF-04620110 has been advanced to human clinical studies. PF-4620110 had been in phase I clinical trials by Pfizer for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. But this research was discontinued in 2011.

DBPR-108 is a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable dipeptide-derived inhibitor of DPP4 with IC50 of 15 nM; no inhibition on DDP8 and DPP9, which is in phase I clinical trial as a potential treatment of type 2 diabetes.