S44497

S44497 is an investigational oral small-molecule inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) developed by Servier for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. By inhibiting the DPP-4 enzyme, S44497 prevents the rapid degradation of incretin hormones, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which leads to increased insulin secretion and decreased glucagon levels in a glucose-dependent manner. The drug was evaluated in a Phase II dose-ranging clinical trial (NCT00711399) comparing its efficacy and safety to placebo, sitagliptin, and glimepiride over a four-week period. Following the completion of Phase II studies around 2009, no further development has been reported, suggesting the program was discontinued.