Twist Bioscience validates GLP-1R antagonist antibody as CHI treatment

Twist Bioscience announced publication of preclinical data supporting the potential use of the highly potent and optimized GLP-1R antagonist antibody, TB-222-023, as a treatment for congenital hyperinsulinism . This pediatric genetic disorder has estimates of prevalence ranging from 1 in 25,000 to 1 in 50,000 live births in the U.S., which could translate into a steady-state treatable population of up to 2,500 cases in the U.S. It is caused by excessive pancreatic beta cell insulin secretion, resulting in hypoglycemia that can cause brain damage or death without treatment. “Patients with congenital hyperinsulinism have few treatment options. The promising results from our studies described in the Diabetes paper demonstrate that targeting GLP-1R with an antibody antagonist, such as TB-222-023, could be an effective strategy for the treatment of this very serious condition,” said De Leon-Crutchlow…”GLP-1R is very high profile within the industry and targeting this receptor with potent therapeutic candidates has potential in several medical conditions in addition to CHI, such as post-bariatric hypoglycemia,” said Emily M. Leproust, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Twist Bioscience. “This paper describes the power of Twist’s highly specific and potent antibody libraries as well as our ability to then optimize and improve on resulting candidates. The fact that TB-222-023 showed potency higher than a Phase 3 ready clinical candidate peptide is very promising. TB-222-023 has the potential to be a first-in-class antibody, a modality with advantages over peptides. We are now looking for partners to help take TB-222-023 and related antibodies forward in development.”