The Pursuit of Transformational Medicines
The DiMarchi laboratory has made contributions to advance discovery and development of specific drugs, such as Humulin®, Humatrope®, rGlucagon®, Humalog®, Evista® and Forteo®. The primary focus of current research is the integration of macromolecules and conventional small molecules to achieve transformational pharmacology. Glucagon, Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), and Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) are regulatory hormones responsible for maintaining control of metabolism, most notably glucose homeostasis. A series of novel peptides which exhibit high potency and balanced activity across these three receptors have demonstrated superior, sustained efficacy in lowering body weight and glucose in animal models. These pre-clinical results established the basis for several ongoing human studies with specific mixed agonists. Additionally, a set of peptide-estrogen conjugates possessing full GLP-1 agonism with linker chemistries that enable differential estrogen release consistently proved to be more efficacious and safer in lowering body weight than the comparable controls.
Distinguished Professor
Professor and Robert & Marjorie Mann Chair
Distinguished Professor
Linda & Jack Gill Chair in Biomolecular Science
James F. Jackson Professor of Chemistry
Class of 1948 Herman B Wells Endowed Professor
Adjunct Professor, Physics
Associate Dean of Natural and Mathematical Sciences
Associate Professor (SPEA),
Adjunct Professor (Chemistry)
Standiford H. Cox Professor of Chemistry
Professor & Associate Vice President for Engagement
