Open Funding

Institution:

University of Ulster

Recipient:

Dr Victor Gault

Project:

Development and biological characterisation of novel PEGylated GIP-receptor antagonists for the treatment of obesity-related type 2 diabetes.

Summary:

The worldwide increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes, which is now even being documented in young children, demands the development of new drugs for the safe and effective treatment of the disease. Such new drugs would also have beneficial effects in limiting the risk of costly long-term complications, which ultimately will have a burden on the NHS. The naturally occurring gut hormone, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), has recently emerged as an important new drug candidate for the potential treatment of type 2 diabetes. Exciting research data published by Japanese scientists using transgenic mice suggests that circulating GIP directly links obesity and insulin resistance to diabetes. Therefore, by selectively blocking the biological actions of GIP (antagonism) it should be possible to alleviate insulin resistance and ultimately type 2 diabetes. Pilot studies in the applicant’s laboratory have shown the ability of a novel GIP antagonist to improve tissue insulin sensitivty and glucose tolerance in an animal model of type 2 diabetes. This proposal will further develop and test novel, longer-acting forms of GIP-receptor antagonists, enhanced by optimal bioengineering and strategies to prevent rapid removal from the body. It is hoped that this research proposal will bring forward a new class of drug offering a safe and exciting therapeutic approach to diabetes.

Amount:

£25,380