MK 3577 is an orally active glucagon receptor antagonist which was under development by Merck & Co for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. MK 3577 demonstrate activity in cellular models and preclinical trials. In phase II clinical trials MK 3577 shows good efficacy and acceptable level of adverse events, but no further development reports were published.

AMG-151 [AMG 151, ARRY-403] was under development with Amgen for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). AMG 151 binds to glucose-bound glucokinase distinctly from glucose- or adenosine triphosphate–binding sites to activate glucokinase selectively. AMG 151 was in a phase I trial for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. AMG 151 in a twice-daily dosing regimen decreased fasting and postprandial glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin. In all AMG 151 once-daily dose groups and in the AMG 151 200-mg twice-daily dose group, significant reductions were observed in glucose AUC0–240 in after a MTT from baseline to day 28 compared with placebo. However, Amgen disconinued the development of AMG-151.

MK-0893, developed by Merck, is a reversible and competitive antagonist with high binding affinity (IC(50) of 6.6 nM) and functional cAMP activity (IC(50) of 15.7 nM). MK-0893 reached Phase 2; 12 weeks of once daily oral dosing led to significant and dose-dependent reductions in fasting and post-prandial plasma glucose and in HbA1c, with similar low incidences of hypoglycaemia as a metformin cohort. Combinations with metformin and sitagliptin were also trialled, and risk for hypoglycaemia was assessed in healthy males which showed the drug caused lengthening of recovery times. However, plasma levels of LDL cholesterol and liver transaminases were increased in some studies, as was body weight and blood pressure, all of which were not evident pre-clinically, and MK-0893 was discontinued.