Changshan and Albumedix to development patient-friendly type II diabetes treatment
Albumedix albumin-based half-life extension technology used in clinical development of Changshan’s once-weekly diabetes treatment for the Chinese market
Albumedix and Hebei Changshan Biochem Pharma (Changshan) have entered into a supply agreement for the development of a novel type II diabetes treatment that enables once-weekly dosing.
The agreement will see Albumedix’s recombinant albumin based half-life extension platform used for the development and later commercialisation of a modified glucagon-like-peptide albumin conjugate (Albenatide) for the treatment of patients living with the condition in China.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, the Chinese diabetes population amounts to a staggering 114 million, representing a third of all people who have the condition worldwide. With a diabetes prevalence of 11.6 % for adults, China officially has the world’s largest diabetes epidemic. By combining Albumedix’s albumin-based drug delivery technology with Changshan’s clinical development expertise, Albenatide has the potential to extend the dosing frequency required by diabetics from daily to weekly, thereby significantly improving patient quality of life and treatment adherence as well as overall treatment cost.
Changshan operates through a joint venture with ConjuChem for the development of long-acting diabetic treatments. ‘The collaboration between ConjuChem and Changshan is focused on the development of diabetes therapies for the Chinese market and we are currently in a Phase I clinical trial with Albenatide, with the aim of moving into Phase II later this year,’ said Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong, Chairman and CEO, ConjuChem and NantWorks.
‘ConjuChem created the Drug Affinity Complex (DAC), which uses recombinant human albumin to improve a drug’s therapeutic index. We are confident that working with Albumedix and its exciting albumin-based platform will enable us to reach our goal of developing a patient-friendly, once-weekly diabetes treatment.’
Albumedix’s albumin-based drug delivery platform, known as VELTIS, is a platform of native and engineered recombinant human albumins. When combined with a drug candidate, it offers the potential for adaptive control of therapeutic half-life. The platform can significantly improve the treatment options available to diabetes patients by maintaining the therapeutic activity for prolonged periods, opening the door towards extended dosing intervals and improved quality of life.
‘The adoption of Albumedix recombinant albumin products by Changshan is yet another example of how our albumin-based solutions can help alleviate some of the many complications faced daily by patients living with chronic diseases such as diabetes,’ comments Peter Rosholm, CEO, Albumedix.