Solving the challenges of engineering an ultra-long acting insulin-Fc conjugate

Title: Solving the challenges of engineering an ultra-long acting insulin-Fc conjugate

Abstract:

Millions of people with diabetes suffer from the burden of daily subcutaneous insulin injections. Engineering a basal insulin for once weekly injection will result in fewer injections and likely improved acceptance of and compliance to the treatment, thereby improving glucose control and long-term outcomes for the patients. To improve the pharmacokinetics of insulin we developed conjugation chemistry to be able to chemically link one insulin molecule to the heterodimeric Fc. Ultra-long pharmacokinetic profile of the insulin Fc conjugates was the result of concertedly slowing insulin receptor mediated clearance by 1) introduction of amino acid substitutions that lowered the insulin receptor affinity and 2) conjugating insulin to the Fc element. Fc-conjugation leads to recycling by the neonatal Fc-receptor and increase of the molecular size both contributing to the ultra-long pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the insulin-conjugates.

Biography:

Pricipal Scientist, PhD Tina M. Tagmose studied Chemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark and graduated as MS in 1993. She continued studying organic chemistry atTechnical University of Denmark in the Carbohydrate Group supervised by Inge Lundt and Mikael Bols leading to her PhD degree in 1996. After a two year postdoctoral fellowship at Novo Nordisk A/S in th Medicinal Chemistry area supervised by John Bondo Hansen she obtained a permanent position in the same department. In 2011 she was promoted Principal Scientist. She’s an inventor of several patent applications and has published more than 20 research publications.