semaglutide microspheres (GB-7001) / G2GBIO, Samsung - LARVOL DELTA

Samsung Bioepis partners with G2GBIO to develop long-acting semaglutide (Korea Biomedical Review) - "Under the agreement, Samsung Bioepis will have a full license to a novel long-acting semaglutide asset and an option to license another asset from G2GBIO...In addition, Samsung Bioepis will have first negotiation rights for three additional novel assets yet to be determined. Epis NexLab will co-develop the long-acting microsphere drug delivery platform using G2GBIO’s proprietary technology. Financial terms remain confidential...On the same day, Samsung Bioepis Holdings signed an agreement to invest 20 billion won ($13.3 million) in convertible bonds (CBs) issued by G2GBIO, expanding the business partnership between the two companies through a financial investment."

Licensing / partnership • Obesity

Effect of hydroxyethyl starch on drug stability and release of semaglutide in PLGA microspheres. (PubMed, Int J Pharm) - "Additionally, the optimized semaglutide microspheres provided nearly three weeks of glycemic control with adequate safety. In conclusion, adding HES to the internal aqueous phase improved the in-situ drug stability and release behavior of semaglutide-loaded PLGA microspheres, effectively increasing the peptide drug payload in PLGA microspheres."

Journal

PK Studies in Rats and Minipigs of GB-7001, a Novel Monthly Microsphere Formulation Containing High Drug Content of Semaglutide (ADA 2023) - "Currently, the longest-acting GLP-1 product (including dulaglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide) is a weekly injection, and there are no approved once-monthly long-acting injectables...Although the release rate of GB-7001 slows after 28 days, semaglutide was detected within the quantifiable range for up to 56 days.In conclusion, GB-7001 is an improved 1-month semaglutide injectable that has shown promising results in PK studies in rats and minipigs. Further preclinical studies of the final formulation are scheduled, and GB-7001 is planned to apply for IND once the final formulation is selected."

Late-breaking abstract • Preclinical • Diabetes • Metabolic Disorders • Obesity • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus