Hanmi eyes once-weekly insulin combination drug

HANMI Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd (KSE: 128940) is exploring a new once-weekly insulin combination drug that improves on previous insulin treatment by offering better glycemic control and lower hypoglycemia and weight gain risks. 

 

The company made an oral presentation on ^LAPSInsulin Combo at the 75th American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Session held last June 7 at the Boston Convention Center, USA. The presentation focused on the nonclinical results of the once-weekly insulin and GLP-1 combination drug. Dr. Michael E. Trautmann, MD (Profil Institute) and co-researcher, demonstrated the potential therapeutic benefits by combination and the reduced adverse effects such as weight gain risk.  

 

LAPSInsulin Combo uses LAPSCOVERY, Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s innovative technology that enables extended duration of biologics. The new diabetes drug combines LAPSInsulin 115, being developed as a once-weekly insulin, with efpeglenatide (LAPSCA-Exendin4), a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist. 

 

The results presented showed a quick and significant drop in HbA1C level without the risk of hypoglycemia upon the switch of the mono-treatment to LAPSInsulin Combo. Further, the drug effectively protected from the apoptotic death of pancreatic β-cell. 

 

Dr. Nina Wronkowitz of the German Diabetes Center, Jurgen Eckel's Lab and a joint researcher, presented the result of the nonclinical trial of LAPSInsulin115 currently being conducted in Phase I clinical trial in the USA on June 6. The presentation emphasized the once weekly potential of LAPSInsulin115 and its insulin-receptor-binding properties.

 

According to Se-chang Kwon, Hanmi R&D Research Center research managing director, “The therapeutic benefits of combining LAPSInsulin115 and efpeglenatide have been confirmed. LAPSInsulin Combo will go into clinical trial in the second half of this year, and as a first-in-class once weekly insulin combination drug we expect it to suggest a new paradigm of diabetes treatment.”