On November 5, 2021 Zealand Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ZEAL) (CVR-no. 20045078,) a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative peptide-based medicines, reported that it has entered into definitive collaboration agreements with DEKA Research & Development Corp., to develop a continuous infusion pump to be used in combination with dasiglucagon, an investigational agent currently in phase 3 trials in patients with congenital hyperinsulinism (Press release, Zealand Pharmaceuticals, NOV 5, 2021, View Source [SID1234594658]). The agreement covers the technical development of the pump system as well as associated manufacturing and commercialization activities.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
"As we progress toward completion of our pivotal clinical trials for dasiglucagon as a potential treatment option for CHI, we are thrilled to announce this collaboration agreement with DEKA," said Emmanuel Dulac, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zealand Pharma. "DEKA’s innovative drug infusion pump has been FDA cleared in other uses and it represents an attractive potential solution for dasiglucagon administration in CHI, taking us one step closer to achieving our goal of improving the lives of CHI patients and their families."
"We are very pleased to be working with Zealand, leveraging our long experience with infusion pumps to aid in their development of a new treatment option for CHI," said Dean Kamen, Founder of DEKA. "Our mission at DEKA is to develop technology that can solve problems and improve people’s lives – this collaboration is a great example of how we work to fulfill that mission."
Under the terms of the agreement, DEKA and Zealand will develop a medical pump system that is suitable for use in combination with dasiglucagon. DEKA and its affiliates will be responsible for pump development and pump manufacturing activities. Zealand will be solely responsible for clinical development around the drug-device combination as well as for distribution and commercialization in all territories.
About CHI
CHI is a rare pediatric disease that affects mainly newborns, infants and toddlers. Due to a genetic defect in the insulin producing cells, these children have increased insulin levels, resulting in persistent and recurrent hypoglycemia throughout childhood. Current treatment options are limited, complex and may be insufficient to adequately control hypoglycemia.
About dasiglucagon
Invented by Zealand Pharma, dasiglucagon is a glucagon analog that is stable in aqueous solution and is thus suitable for chronic pump use. In 2017, both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission granted orphan drug designation for dasiglucagon for the treatment of CHI.