Arecor Therapeutics PLC (AIM:AREC) has announced impressive results from its phase I trial of AT278, an ultra-concentrated, ultra-rapid-acting insulin. The trial focused on overweight and obese people with Type 2 diabetes.
AT278 demonstrated a significantly faster absorption and glucose-lowering effect compared with existing current best-in-class products NovoRapid and Humulin R U-500. This result confirms the findings from a previous trial with Type 1 diabetes patients, showing that AT278 works effectively regardless of diabetes type or body mass index (BMI).
This new insulin formulation, concentrated at 500 units per millilitre (U/mL), allows for a lower injection volume. It aims to provide better mealtime glucose control for patients needing high daily doses of insulin.
Arecor's CEO, Sarah Howell, highlighted the potential of AT278 to become the first ultra-concentrated, ultra-rapid insulin available. This innovation could support the development of next-generation, miniaturised insulin pumps.
She told investors: "This is a significant step in AT278's development and extends our confidence in its clear potential to provide a superior insulin treatment option that lowers burden and improves outcomes for people living with diabetes who require high daily doses of insulin.
"Such patients make up a large segment of the target market. In addition, as the only concentrated, yet very rapid-acting, insulin in development, AT278 has the capability to disrupt the market by enabling the next generation of truly miniaturised, longer-wear insulin pumps, a key focus for patients, physicians and the industry."
The company plans to discuss these results in a webinar tomorrow (May 21) at 2.30 pm BST.