AdipoPharma, a French biotech company, has announced the successful acquisition of funding to commence Phase 1 clinical trials in the United States by mid-2025 for its innovative Type 2 diabetes drug, PATAS. This funding marks a crucial step in bringing a potential first-in-class treatment to market that directly addresses insulin resistance.
Targeting Insulin Resistance
Unlike many existing diabetes drugs that focus on managing symptoms, AdipoPharma's compound, PATAS, is designed as a whole-body insulin sensitizer. It targets insulin resistance, the underlying cause of Type 2 diabetes, by acting on fat cells (adipocytes). By restoring glucose uptake and utilization in impaired adipocytes, PATAS aims to re-establish healthy lipid biosynthesis, leading to improved glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and mitigating diabetes-related complications such as diabetic neuropathy, cardiovascular dysfunction, liver disease, and muscle loss.
Investor Confidence
The funding round saw participation from key global investors, including Newton Biocapital, Good Growth Capital, and Okeanos. Alain Parthoens, CEO of Newton Biocapital, expressed enthusiasm for AdipoPharma's mission, stating, "AdipoPharma’s mission to deliver a groundbreaking Type 2 diabetes treatment focused on insulin resistance could significantly improve the lives of millions globally. We're delighted to support the company as it embarks on Phase 1 trials in the months ahead."
Amy Salzhauer, Managing Partner at Good Growth Capital, highlighted the potential of PATAS, noting, "PATAS is the first, therapeutic breakthrough for Type 2 diabetes treatment in more than a decade. We’re proud to partner with AdipoPharma to begin Phase 1 trials, and one day soon, bring this much-anticipated drug to market."
Scientific Foundation and Leadership
AdipoPharma was founded by Vincent Marion, PhD, MSc, a biochemist and researcher at INSERM, the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research. Dr. Marion has dedicated over a decade to researching the role of adipocytes in Type 2 diabetes. "PATAS represents a scientific breakthrough in our quest to treat insulin resistance, the primary cause of Type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Marion. "Our vision is to create a world where insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes are no longer a life sentence."
The Global Impact of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects more than 500 million people worldwide, a number projected to reach 1.3 billion by 2050, according to Lancet Diabetes. The disease is a leading cause of kidney disease, amputation, and premature death globally. The development of PATAS represents a significant effort to address this growing health crisis by targeting the root cause of the disease.
