Albumedix and Hebei Changshan Biochem Pharma announced before the summer that they 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 commercialization of a modified glucagon-like-peptide albumin conjugate (Albenatide) for the treatment of patients living with the condition in China.
Changshan operates through a joint venture with Los Angeles based ConjuChem LLC for the development of long-acting diabetic treatments.
“The collaboration between ConjuChem and Changsan 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, LLC and NantWorks, LLC. “ConjuChem created the Drug Affinity Complex (DACTM) which uses recombinant human albumin to improve a drug’s therapeutic index. We are confident that working with Albumedix and their exciting albumin-based platform will enable us to reach our goal of developing a patient friendly, once-weekly diabetes treatment.”
“China currently has the largest diabetes population in the world. Through the collaborations with ConjuChem and Albumedix, we are confident that we will be able to develop a more efficacious, safer and easier to use anti-diabetes medicine which will be a significant benefit to Chinese patients”, said Mr. Shuhua Gao, Chairman and General Manager of Changshan Biochem Pharma.
VELTIS
Albumedix 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.
This agreement comes only a few months after the US market authorization of CSL Behring’s Idelvion, a once-every-14-day hemophilia B treatment, which also utilizes Albumedix’s albumin-based technology.
“Like Idelvion, Albenatide further demonstrates the clinical and market value of our albumin-based platform”, adds Peter Rosholm.
A Novozyme spinn-off
Earlier this year, Albumedix was established as an independent company fully owned by Novozymes A/S. The company was created by separating the biopharmaceutical activities of Novozymes out into an independent company. These activities have been based in part on an acquisition by Novozymes A/S of Delta Biotechnology in Nottingham, UK from Sanofi Aventis in 2006.
Prior to 2006, Delta Biotechnology was owned by different companies after the establishment by Bass Plc in 1984.
Albumedix has ongoing commercial business based on sales of Recombumin, recombinant albumin for drug formulation as well as license agreements for Veltis, albumin based drug delivery platform.
The first drug to use Albumedix’ Veltis half-life extension technology was launched by GlaxoSmithKline in 2014 as Tanzeum (US) and Eperzan (EU). Tanzeum is a GLP-1 fusion to recombinant albumin for once weekly treatment of type 2 diabetic patients.
