New Therapy Shows Promise in Diabetes Treatment
Abvance Therapeutics Announces Positive Data at ADA Conference
Abvance Therapeutics presented encouraging findings at the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) 85th Scientific Sessions. The study explores a novel approach to managing Type 1 diabetes, potentially improving the safety of intensive insulin therapy by combining insulin and glucagon.
Study Results Presented
A poster titled, “Uncovering the bidirectional glucose-dependent relationship of insulin and glucagon: a meal-challenge study in patients with Type 1 diabetes,” was presented by Dr. Guillaume Kraft of Vanderbilt University. The research investigated how insulin and glucagon interact when given together in a fixed ratio at mealtime for individuals with Type 1 diabetes.
“We are grateful to Dr. Kraft and the research team at Vanderbilt, and to Dr. Bode and his team in Atlanta, for advancing this important translational work,”
—Dr. David Maggs, co-founder of Abvance Therapeutics
The clinical trial, led by Dr. Bruce Bode and his team at Atlanta Diabetes Associates, involved 15 participants. The study showed that combining glucagon with insulin during meals may prevent post-meal blood sugar drops without interfering with metabolic processes. According to the CDC, around 1.6 million adults in the United States have type 1 diabetes (CDC 2023).
How the Research Began
Earlier preclinical work at Vanderbilt University suggested that insulin and glucagon’s effects may change based on a person’s blood sugar levels. Researchers observed that insulin was more influential when glucose was high and glucagon more dominant when glucose was low. This human study evaluated whether similar patterns were visible when both hormones were administered together in a set ratio at mealtime for those with Type 1 diabetes, under careful monitoring.
The results provided early support for Abvance’s approach to glucagon analogs. The research indicates the first human data to analyze fixed-ratio co-administration of insulin and glucagon in a mealtime environment.
The company is planning to expand upon this base, developing glucagon-based therapies that fit into real-world treatment plans. The therapy may be a new tool in diabetes management, as stated by Dr. David Maggs.