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Engineering biopharmaceutical formulations to improve diabetes management
Caitlin L Maikawa1, Andrea I d'Aquino2, Rayhan A Lal3,4,5
1Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Science Translational Medicine
|January 28, 2021
Summary
New drug formulations aim to improve insulin therapy for diabetes. These advances enhance protein stability and delivery, potentially leading to better blood sugar control and closed-loop systems.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Endocrinology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
Background:
- Current insulin formulations struggle to replicate natural glucose regulation.
- Delivering multiple hormones like amylin or glucagon is challenging due to drug instability and complex infusion requirements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in drug formulation for diabetes management.
- To highlight the benefits and drawbacks of new formulations for protein stability, pharmacokinetics, and delivery.
- To explore potential improvements in closed-loop glycemic control.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on diabetes drug formulations.
- Analysis of formulation strategies for protein stabilization.
- Evaluation of extended-release and alternative dosage forms.
Main Results:
- Formulation strategies can enhance protein stability and prolong drug delivery.
- New dosage forms offer alternatives to traditional injections.
- Improved formulations show promise for better pharmacokinetic profiles.
Conclusions:
- Recent formulation advances offer potential solutions to limitations in current diabetes therapy.
- Enhanced stability and controlled delivery are key to improving glycemic management.
- These developments could facilitate more effective closed-loop systems for diabetes care.
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