Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. has received notice of allowanceon its first patent, covering composition of the company'sflagship hormone amylin, the San Diego company announcedMonday.

The company (NASDAQ:AMLN), which is developingtherapeutics for diabetes based on the hormone, said thepatent will also cover formulations of amylin that includeinsulin.

The claims will cover use of amylin replacement as therapy forreducing the risk of low blood glucose, which is associated withthe diabetes that begins in childhood. Amylin, which is in aquiet period, also announced that it has been cleared to startclinical trials of a synthetic amylin preparation.

Amylin believes an excess of the pancreatic hormone leads toobesity, deposits of amyloid in the pancreas and the insulinresistance that characterizes adult-onset or type II diabetes. Itis also developing amylin and amylin agonists for use againsttype I insulin-dependent diabetes.

The company has an agreement with Glaxo Inc. to co-developamylin blockers as potential therapies.

Amylin, which has filed or acquired more than 30 U.S. patentapplications, last week completed its initial public offering andsaw its shares jump nearly 50 percent above its IPO price of$14. The stock closed up $1.63 to $23 on Monday.

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