Student Completes Multi-million Pound Sale Of Responsive Insulin Firm To Novo Nordisk

[DCUK NewsBot]

The sale of a biotech firm set up by a young scientist could pave the way to a new generation of glucose responsive insulins. University of Bristol PhD student Harry Destecroix has been developing glucose-binding molecules which could result in insulins which adapt to blood glucose levels. Alerted to the potential, insulin manufacturer Novo Nordisk bought the 31-year-old's company Ziylo for £623 million. Novo Nordisk will now work with the firm over the next ten years in a bid to take the "next leap forward". The deal gives Novo full rights to the glucose binding molecule developed by the company. If harnessed successfully, the molecules could eliminate the risk of hypoglycemia, leading to safer and more effective insulins. The company, a University of Bristol spin-out, was launched by Dr Destecroix alongside Professor Anthony Davis, a Professor of Supramolecular Chemistry at the university, and businessman Tom Smart. Professor Davis, who designed Ziylo's glucose binding molecules, said: "The glucose responsive insulin we will develop with Novo Nordisk combines a natural molecule (insulin) with an artificial component [Ziylo's glucose binding molecules]. "This combination of natural and unnatural could be a new approach to biodesign. These unique molecules were inspired by nature and work in much the same way as natural glucose receptors." Experts at the Davis Research Group based at the university's school of chemistry had been tackling this challenge before Ziylo was formed in 2014. The university's pro vice-chancellor for research, Professor Nishan Canagarajah welcomed the deal. He said: "The university is proud of its cutting-edge research which has potential to generate major societal impact. It is gratifying to see our research being developed to the point where it has the potential to make a real difference to people's lives. "The acquisition of Ziylo by Novo Nordisk will allow this technology to take the next leap forward. Well done to the team at Ziylo and to Professor Davis and his team at the university for getting to this exciting point."

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[kev-w]

I read about this one earlier on in the week with interest, and unusually for me didn't go quack like I usually do

 

[kitedoc]

I await with bated breath. I just hope the human body does not develop antibodies to these new, 'unnatural' glucose binding molecules !!

 

[Q4444]

It is a new way but will it replace smart insulins and how long to getting it to the market?

 

[NicoleC1971]

I guess it will be a while because even if it works in concept, I guess there will be regulatory hurdles for anything that can potentially lower your blood sugar rapidly without human intervention. I think the artificial pancreas devises will get there first although this ideas seems more appealing.
Type 2s will not benefit though so I hope there's enough of us t1s to justify the investment!

 

[kev-w]

I guess it will be a while because even if it works in concept, I guess there will be regulatory hurdles for anything that can potentially lower your blood sugar rapidly without human intervention. I think the artificial pancreas devises will get there first although this ideas seems more appealing.
Type 2s will not benefit though so I hope there's enough of us t1s to justify the investment!

The artificial pancreas is already here in a fashion, as in an insulin pump, a cgm and the 'closed loop' tech, but as the software is open source I believe that sidesteps the regulatory bodies.