Hebei Changshan Biochem Pharma and Albumedix enter into agreement for development of patient-friendly type II diabetes treatment

Albumedix albumin-based half-life extension technology used in clinical development of Hebei Changshan Biochem Pharma’s once-weekly diabetes treatment for the Chinese market.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, the Chinese diabetes population amounts to a staggering 114 million, representing a third of all people who have the condition worldwide. With a diabetes prevalence of 11.6 % for adults, China officially has the world’s largest diabetes epidemic. By combining Albumedix’s albumin-based drug delivery technology with Changshan’s clinical development expertise, Albenatide has the potential to extend the dosing frequency required by diabetics from daily to weekly, thereby significantly improving patient quality of life and treatment adherence, as well as overall treatment cost.

Changshan operates through a joint venture with Los Angeles based ConjuChem, for the development of long-acting diabetic treatments. “The collaboration between ConjuChem and Changshan 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 its 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.

Albumedix’s 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.