Arecor awarded Innovate UK proof of concept SMART Grant to investigate longer acting basal insulin formulation

Arecor Limited, which provides advanced formulation technology to the pharmaceutical industry, have been awarded a SMART award from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency to develop and demonstrate an ultra-long acting basal insulin to combat the risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia in diabetic patients, improving patient safety and compliance.

Nocturnal hypoglycaemia is a common problem with a third of patients receiving less than 24 hours of glycaemic control. On average patients suffer 3.2 severe episodes of nocturnal hypoglycaemia each year which can lead to confusion and retarded proficiency in motor function and in the worst cases coma or death. Between 1993 and 2005, hypoglycaemia accounted for  c5 million emergency department visits in the US alone demonstrating a clear need to develop basal insulins with longer, more consistent glucose lowering time-action profiles.

Arecor intends to implement proven and innovative formulation technology to develop controlled release basal insulin creating a safer, patient centric product that will allow greater confidence and flexibility in controlling blood sugar levels.

Sarah Howell CEO commented;

“We are delighted to have won this award from Innovate UK, which will give us the opportunity to demonstrate the significant potential of our innovative formulation technology to develop a superior longer acting basal insulin for Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 (T2D) diabetics.  These awards are highly competitive and are a validation from leading industry experts of our cutting edge innovation in formulation development as well as the significant commercial opportunity for this product which will ultimately improve the quality of life for T1 and T2D’s.”