Zinc desferrioxamine

Zygosid-50 is a novel antidiabetic drug candidate developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is the zinc complex of desferrioxamine B (Zn-DFO), designed to chelate labile and redox-active iron ions within cells while simultaneously increasing intracellular zinc levels. This dual action addresses both oxidative stress and inflammation—key contributors to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. The mechanism involves a "push-pull" reaction where the complex exchanges its zinc ion for cellular iron, thereby sequestering harmful iron and depositing beneficial zinc inside cells. Zinc plays an important role in insulin packaging, storage, signaling pathways, lipid metabolism regulation, and reducing adipose tissue inflammation. Preclinical studies have shown that Zygosid-50 robustly reduces blood glucose and insulin levels, improves lipid profiles, restores insulin sensitivity (>90% improvement in animal models), suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-17), mitigates oxidative stress, replenishes cellular zinc deficiency, lowers LDL cholesterol and body weight, reduces cataract formation and diabetic retinopathy risk—all with no significant adverse effects observed so far[3][4][5][6][7][8]. The drug was initially developed at Hebrew University of Jerusalem; intellectual property was managed by Silkim Pharma with Concenter BioPharma established to further develop and commercialize it[1][6]. Clinical trials are ongoing using subcutaneous administration in patients with T2D not on insulin therapy[4]. The FDA has accepted proof-of-concept data under the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway with Fast Track Designation for type 2 diabetes[5].

Brand names

Zygosid-50Zygosid50Zygosid 50Zygosid

Other names

zinc desferrioxamineZn-DFO complexZygosid