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Monomeric Insulin Analog and Stabilizing Excipient Enabled Ultrafast Insulin Formulation
Yanxian Zhang1, Terra Lin1, Ngoc Le Bich Tran1
1Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|July 12, 2026
Summary
A novel excipient stabilizes monomeric insulin (HALQ), enabling faster absorption and action. This "fast-on, fast-off" insulin profile, demonstrated in pigs and predicted in humans, could significantly improve diabetes management.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Pharmacology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Insulin therapy speed is limited by insulin hexamer formation.
- Monomeric insulin analogs offer faster action but require stabilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a strategy for stabilizing monomeric insulin analogs.
- To evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of a stabilized monomeric insulin analog (HALQ).
Main Methods:
- Utilized a novel inulin-derived excipient (BN-Inu) to stabilize HALQ.
- Assessed HALQ stability under stress and room temperature conditions.
- Evaluated HALQ pharmacokinetics in a porcine diabetes model and via human pharmacokinetic modeling.
Main Results:
- BN-Inu effectively mitigated HALQ aggregation, ensuring stability for extended periods.
- Monomeric HALQ demonstrated significantly accelerated absorption and a shorter duration of action compared to existing rapid-acting insulins.
- Pharmacokinetic modeling predicted a substantial reduction in time-to-peak and duration of action in humans.
Conclusions:
- Monomer-stabilizing excipients can create next-generation ultrafast insulin formulations.
- HALQ's "fast-on, fast-off" profile offers potential for improved glycemic control in diabetes.
- This materials-based approach represents a step-change in insulin therapy speed.
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