Arecor and Medtronic Partner to Develop Thermostable Insulin for Implantable Pumps

Arecor Therapeutics plc, a key player in the biopharmaceutical industry, has announced a significant partnership with Medtronic plc, a prominent leader in healthcare technology. The collaboration aims to develop a novel, high concentration, thermostable insulin specifically designed for use in Medtronic’s next-generation implantable insulin pumps. This new insulin formulation, enabled by Arecor’s proprietary Arestat™ technology, is set to provide substantial advancements for a select group of patients with diabetes who have limited treatment options with traditional methods.

The collaboration is particularly promising for patients who require more stable insulin that can function optimally within an implantable pump, potentially reducing the frequency of maintenance and enhancing the utility for healthcare providers. This development is expected to lower healthcare costs while improving the quality of care for patients who are currently struggling to manage their diabetes effectively with existing therapies.

Sarah Howell, CEO of Arecor, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting Arecor's leadership in the field through its ultra-rapid acting insulin clinical development programs, AT278 and AT247. Howell noted the increasing prevalence of innovative delivery devices, such as extended-wear and miniaturized pumps, which are continuously improving treatment options for patients. She emphasized the potential of this collaboration to significantly transform treatment for a vulnerable patient group and expressed hope for future partnerships to further enhance the benefits of next-generation devices.

Gary Dulak, Senior Director of New Venture Programs at Medtronic Diabetes, also underscored the importance of the collaboration. Medtronic Diabetes is known for pioneering implantable insulin pump systems for individuals with type 1 diabetes who cannot tolerate conventional subcutaneous insulin therapy. Dulak explained that intraperitoneal therapy, which delivers insulin directly to the liver via an implantable pump, offers a crucial alternative for specific patients. He expressed optimism about exploring new methods to develop this vital therapeutic option in collaboration with Arecor.

This partnership announcement marks a significant step in Arecor’s broader program focused on diabetes, which includes its lead proprietary clinical development programs, AT278 and AT247. These ultra-rapid acting insulin candidates are designed to simplify and improve blood glucose control for people living with diabetes. They also have the potential to enable the development of next-generation miniaturized insulin delivery systems and a fully closed-loop artificial pancreas system.

Additionally, in March 2024, Arecor initiated a research collaboration with TRx Biosciences to develop an oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist product. This product aims to offer a more convenient treatment option for patients with diabetes and obesity. Beyond its research initiatives, Arecor’s specialty pharmaceutical business, Tetris Pharma, commercializes Ogluo®, a glucagon prefilled autoinjector pen for diabetic patients experiencing severe hypoglycemia.

Arecor’s Arestat™ platform, which supports their innovative drug formulations, is backed by an extensive patent portfolio and is central to their strategy of enhancing existing therapeutic products. By leveraging this platform, Arecor continues to collaborate with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to deliver advanced therapeutic solutions.

Overall, this collaboration between Arecor and Medtronic Diabetes holds substantial promise for advancing diabetes treatment and improving the lives of patients requiring specialized care.