Arecor Therapeutics (AIM:AREC) said data from its AT278-104 study has been published in the peer-reviewed journal Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism.
The Cambridge-based clinical stage biotech develops therapeutics aimed at reducing treatment burden for people with diabetes, obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases. The study evaluated AT278, an ultra-concentrated U500 insulin aspart formulation, against standard U100 insulin aspart and U500 human regular insulin.
AT278 showed significantly faster insulin absorption than both comparators, leading to a greater glucose-lowering effect within the first hour after administration.
Critically, the ultra-rapid onset held regardless of body mass index, a distinction from standard insulin aspart and a longstanding challenge for concentrated insulin therapies.
Overall, insulin exposure and glucose-lowering activity remained comparable across formulations, with a favourable safety profile.
This marks the first full publication of the results in a peer-reviewed journal, following earlier presentations at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes and American Diabetes Association scientific meetings.
Dr Jan Jezek, Arecor's chief scientific officer, said the findings address "one of the longstanding challenges associated with concentrated insulin therapies" in high-BMI type 2 diabetes patients.
He noted the average daily insulin dose among affected US patients is 100 units, underscoring demand for concentrated ultra-rapid-acting options.
Arecor believes the data support AT278's potential as the first ultra-rapid U500 insulin for prandial use, and as a building block for smaller, longer-wear automated insulin delivery systems.
