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7074724 
Journal Article 
Pioglitazone (Actos, Glustin) A Drug That Transformed Diabetes Therapy 
Takada, N; Genda, K; , 
2019 
SPRINGER-VERLAG SINGAPORE PTE LTD 
SINGAPORE 
DRUG DISCOVERY IN JAPAN: INVESTIGATING THE SOURCES OF INNOVATION 
169-181 
WOS:000566291300011 
Pioglitazone was an early member of a new category of diabetes treatment drugs called insulin sensitizers, pioneered by Takeda Pharmaceutical. It is used for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, and acts by lowering blood glucose levels. The thiazolidinedione backbone discovered by Takeda Pharmaceutical was widely adopted in industry. Research on pioglitazone began as a result of serendipitous discovery of its lead compound during research on lipid-lowering agents. New animal models made a major contribution to understanding the pathogenesis of diabetes in basic research, but also led the researchers to the discovery of compounds with thiazolidinedione backbone that improve insulin sensitivity. Although ciglitazone, the first compound studied in clinical trials, failed, pioglitazone was discovered and selected as a candidate compound based on its potent activity, and low propensity to induce side effects. Pioglitazone is a breakthrough drug generated by the culmination of basic research, including the development of animal models, careful screening techniques, and excellent synthesis technologies. 
Nagaoka, S; 
978-981-13-8905-4