ABT-229

ABT-229 is a synthetic motilin receptor agonist and a derivative of erythromycin, developed by Abbott Laboratories as a prokinetic agent. Unlike erythromycin, ABT-229 lacks antibacterial activity but retains the ability to stimulate motilin receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby accelerating gastric emptying. It was primarily investigated for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia. However, clinical trials, including a large Phase 2 study in patients with type 1 diabetes, failed to demonstrate symptomatic improvement over placebo and even suggested a dose-dependent worsening of certain upper abdominal symptoms such as bloating and nausea. Consequently, its clinical development was discontinued in the early 2000s.