Technical poster describes study of modified GLP-1 analogues which have been stabilised against proteolysis, yet are at least as active as native GLP-1 in both promoting insulin release in cell assays
Activotec has announced a new technical poster describing a study in which it has applied its proprietary technologies in peptide backbone modification to develop a set of modified GLP-1 analogues which have been stabilised against proteolysis, yet are at least as active as native GLP-1 in both promoting insulin release in cell assays and lowering blood glucose in small animal models.
These exciting results, presented at the recent 29th European Peptide Symposium in Gdansk, Poland, have led Activotec to investigate partnerships with biotechnology companies with an interest in this diabetes therapeutic area with a view to forming collaborative partnerships to develop the products further.
Type II diabetes is fast becoming an epidemic in many societies, with 170 million cases diagnosed to date worldwide.
It is characterised early on by the inability of afflicted individuals to respond to circulating insulin in controlling blood glucose levels.
Traditional therapies have not effectively addressed the root causes of insulin resistance or lowered secretion in most patients.
More recent investigations have identified a key hormone produced in the gut, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) 7-37, which naturally stimulates pancreatic insulin secretion and helps restore the body's response to it.
This makes GLP-1 a very attractive candidate for anti-diabetes therapy, with a projected worldwide market of several billion $US/year.
Although a number of pharmaceutical companies have active GLP-1 programmes, a major drawback to development of GLP-1-based therapeutics is its short circulating half-life of a few minutes, due to proteolysis and renal clearance.
Thus, effective therapies must incorporate GLP-1 analogues stabilised against proteolysis while being formulated to counter renal clearance and thus avoid daily injections.
Activotec, which has its trading base in Cambridge (UK) and an R+D and production facility in Southampton (UK), was founded in 2002 as a spin out from the internationally renowned School of Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton.
Activotec is a customer-focused company providing high technology products and services for chemistry and biochemistry applications.
Activotec provides a complete range of products and services for peptide and protein synthesis.
Activotec has an extensive ongoing R+D programme targeted at developing novel methods for the modification and production of peptides and proteins for therapeutic use.
The developed patented methods are available for use in contract research and development programs with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and clinical organisations.
For further information on Activotec contract research and development services or a copy of this technical poster please contact the company using the links provided.
