Poolbeg Pharma licenses oral delivery technology for treatment of diabetes and obesity
( ), a clinical stage infectious disease company, has acquired the exclusive license from InsuCaps to use its proprietary microencapsulation and nanoencapsulation oral delivery technologies in metabolic syndrome-related diseases, including obesity, pre-diabetes, and diabetes.
InsuCaps is a sister company of AnaBio Technologies, the specialist B2B micro encapsulation company based in Cork, Ireland focused on improving the functionality of ingredients for food, beverages, sports nutrition, medical and animal feed companies.
Following the license acquisition, Poolbeg will commence a proof-of-technology clinical trial to determine that a Glucagon-like Peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1) agonist can be safely delivered orally in humans. The trial will commence in 1H 2023 with results expected later in the year.
In line with its rapid-partnering model, Poolbeg then intends to license the technology to pharma and biotech companies for use in obesity and/or diabetes, as well as other active molecules in metabolic syndrome-related diseases.
Poolbeg's license with InsuCaps adds to its existing exclusive license to AnaBio's microencapsulation and nanoencapsulation technologies, which underpin Poolbeg's Oral Vaccine Platform. A Poolbeg-led consortium was recently awarded €2.3m funding by the Irish Government's Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund to progress the Oral Vaccine Platform.
View from Vox
Poolbeg has recognised the potential of micro/nanoencapsulation oral delivery technologies in vaccines, further validated by the €2.3m in non-dilutive funding granted to it by the Irish Government Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, to progress its Oral Vaccine Platform.
There is significant potential upside in oral delivery technologies for vaccines and metabolic diseases. For context, obesity currently costs the US healthcare system c. US$173bn a year. GLP-1 agonists, which are used to treat diabetes and obesity, represent a very large and fast-growing opportunity, estimated to reach $22bn/year 2025. At present, all but one GLP-1 products are injectables, which are more onerous for patients than oral delivery.
Poolbeg will commence its GPL-1 clinical trial in 1H 2023 with results expected later in 2023. Poolbeg said the primary endpoint of the trial will be subject safety, however additional endpoints will provide indications of bioavailability and pharmacodynamic effects.
The oral GLP-1 trial follows the completion of Poolbeg's LPS challenge trial for its flagship POLB 001 candidate for severe influenza. Like the LPS challenge study, the GLP-1 trial is in line with Poolbeg's efficient, capital-light approach to clinical development:
Poolbeg's capital-light model is nonstandard as it aims to develop and bring products through to early human proof of concept in the clinic, then partner with large pharma and biotech companies that continue the pipeline to production and distribution. Thus, Poolbeg profits from the relatively inexpensive human trial process, now enhanced with their partners' AI analysis, and then exits at the scale-up stage.
Poolbeg remains very well funded with a strong cash balance of £18.9m on 30 June 2022, enabling it to jump on high-value opportunities and quickly fund development. The company's long development pipeline will continue to drive value for shareholders in 2023.
Follow News & Updates from Poolbeg Pharma:
Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest
The information, investment views and recommendations in this article are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this article should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engaging in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the writer but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. Vox Markets may receive payment from companies mentioned for enhanced profiling or publication presence. The writer may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.