Effect of LAF237 on Glucagon Secretion in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and in Healthy Subjects

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria - Type-2 Diabetes Patients * Male or female patients aged 30 to 75 years with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and who are in otherwise good health * Must have been diagnosed with T2DM at least 6 months prior to screening, and whose diabetes is controlled by diet and exercise alone or by stable dosage ( \> 3 months) of metformin * HbA1c in the range of 6.5% to 9% at screening Inclusion Criteria - Healthy Volunteers * Male or female subjects aged 30 to 75 years, determined to be in good health * Normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at screening * Age, gender and weight matched to subjects with T2DM Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria - Type-2 Diabetes Patients * A history of: * Type 1 diabetes, diabetes that is a result of pancreatic injury, or secondary forms of diabetes, e.g., Cushing's syndrome and acromegaly * Acute metabolic diabetic complications (such as ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar state (coma)) within the past 6 months * Torsades de Pointes, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation * Any severe hypoglycemic episode within 3 months of screening * Use of any of the following medications: * Antihypertensive or lipid-lowering agents unless on a stable dose for at least 3 months prior to screening * Chronic insulin treatment (\> 4 weeks of treatment in the absence of an intercurrent illness) within the past 6 months * Chronic oral/intramuscular/intravenous corticosteroid treatment ( \> 7 consecutive days of treatment) within 8 weeks prior to screening Exclusion Criteria - Healthy Volunteers * First degree relative of an individual with T2DM * History of gestational diabetes * Use of any prescription medication within 1 month prior to dosing. Use of over-the-counter medications or vitamins within 14 days prior to dosing. Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.