Albiglutide, an investigational once-weekly treatment for adult patients with type 2 diabetes.
Albiglutide is not yet approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes or any other indication anywhere in the world. GSK intends to submit a regulatory application in the European Union (EU) in early 2013.
Albiglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, is an investigational biological product for the treatment of type 2 diabetes designed for once-weekly subcutaneous dosing. GLP-1 is a peptide that is normally secreted from the gastrointestinal tract during a meal which in turn helps release insulin to control blood sugar elevations after eating. In people with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 secretion in response to a meal is reduced or absent. GLP-1 is rapidly degraded while albiglutide has been developed to have a longer duration of action by being comprised of two copies of modified human GLP-1 fused in series to human albumin.
Albiglutide is an investigational once-weekly injectable treatment for adult patients with type 2 diabetes.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is developing albiglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, for adult patients with type 2 diabetes. GSK announced it has filed for U.S. approval of this new once-weekly treatment, currently in Phase III clinical trials, and intends to submit a regulatory application in the European Union (EU).
About albiglutide
Albiglutide is an investigational biological, injectable form of human GLP-1. GLP-1 is a peptide, normally secreted from the gastrointestinal tract during a meal, which helps the body to maintain normal blood-sugar levels and to control appetite. The body works to quickly degrade GLP-1, resulting in its short duration of action. In people with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 secretion in response to a meal is reduced. Albiglutide is comprised of two copies of modified human GLP-1 that is fused to human albumin. This modified GLP-1 is designed to extend the action of GLP-1 and allow for once-weekly injections.
During clinical trials, albiglutide has been generally well tolerated with diarrhea being the most common adverse event.
GSK is developing albiglutide as a once-weekly injection using a pen injector to allow reconstitution by the patient and a fine gauge needle for subcutaneous administration.
Similar treatments, those in the same class of injectable GLP-1 medicines, include: Victoza, Byetta, Bydureon, and Amylin.