Bay 55-9837 is a selective vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 2 (VPAC2 receptor) agonist, binding to VPAC2 with a Kd of 0.65 nmol/l and having greater than 100-fold selectivity over VPAC1. BAY 55-9837 stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion in isolated pancreatic islets, increases insulin synthesis in rat islets, and causes a dose-dependent increase in plasma insulin levels in fasted rats. BAY 55-9837 raises survival motor neuron (SMN) protein levels through pharmacological modulation of the SMN2 gene and ameliorates disease phenotype in severe spinal muscular atrophy mouse models
