News Feature | December 23, 2014

Eli Lilly, Adocia To Co-Develop Ultra-Rapid Insulin

By Estel Grace Masangkay

Eli Lilly announced that it has entered into a global licensing partnership with clinical-stage biotech firm Adocia to co-develop an ultra-rapid insulin based on the latter’s proprietary technology as treatment for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

As part of the agreement, Lilly and Adocia will collaborate to develop the insulin named as BioChaperone Lispro for the optimization of blood sugar levels during and after meals. The companies will also work together for a concentrated formulation of the drug. Lilly will take the lead in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of the products. Lilly will also pay Adocia up to $570 million in upfront and milestone payments. Adocia will receive $50 million in upfront fees and milestone payments of up to $280 million, as well as sales milestones of up to $240 million. Lilly will reimburse Adocia for its R&D expenses during the agreement.

BioChaperone Lispro is based on Adocia’s BioChaperon technology and is undergoing Phase 1B studies. The drug offers the potential advantages of flexibility in the timing of insulin injections, lower rates of hypoglycemia, lower variability of post-meal blood glucose elevations, and improved overall glucose control.

Gerard Soula, President and CEO of Adocia, said, “It is a great day for Adocia and Lilly… to initiate a new collaboration for the development of an innovative ultra-rapid formulation of insulin lispro. We consider Lilly a key collaborator on this project based on their extensive knowledge of insulin.” Adocia said it retains its right to develop other insulin programs not related to the product concerned in the agreement.

“An ultra-rapid acting insulin, if approved by regulators, could provide a new important treatment option for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. An ultra-rapid acting insulin would be a natural fit in our growing portfolio,” said Enrique Conterno, president of Lilly Diabetes.

Last month, Eli Lilly launched its newly FDA-approved diabetes drug Trulicity in the U.S. Trulicity is a once-weekly GLP-1 RA that helps improve glucose levels in diabetic patients when used in conjunction with proper diet and exercise.

Eli Lilly has company in the global market for diabetes treatments, reports Reuters. Among these are Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, and Merck, which are targeting the growing global diabetes drug market worth more than $40 billion with their own drug candidates.