Zealand, Roche Diabetes Care Enter Collaboration

Zealand Pharma has entered a collaboration with Roche Diabetes Care for the Phase 3 trials with dasiglucagon for treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI). 

Zealand is responsible for conducting the Phase 3 trials, while Roche Diabetes Care provides its Accu-Chek^® Combo pump system for this study under the terms of the agreement. 

Britt Meelby Jensen, president and chief executive officer of Zealand, said, “We are pleased to work with Roche Diabetes Care products for the Phase 3 study of dasiglucagon for treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism. In the trials, neonates and children with CHI will be given low doses of dasiglucagon infused via the Accu-Chek^® Combo pump system. We are excited about pursuing the development of a treatment for this severe and rare disease affecting neonates and children.”

Ulf Meiertoberens, lifecycle leader Insulin Delivery Systems at Roche Diabetes Care, said, ”We are impressed with the progress made by Zealand with dasiglucagon, now Phase 3 ready, for the treatment of congenital hyperinsulinism and are happy to be able to contribute with our expertise and the Accu-Chek^® Combo pump system, and together with Zealand evaluate this potential new therapy option for children affected by CHI.”

CHI is a rare medical condition in neonates and children. Due to a genetic defect in the insulin producing cells, these children are born with too high blood insulin levels, resulting in persistent low blood glucose throughout childhood. 

In the Phase 3 program, Zealand will evaluate the potential of continuous dasiglucagon infusions delivered via the Accu-Chek^® Combo pump system to prevent hypoglycemia in up to 50 children with CHI and thereby reduce morbidities associated with persistent hypoglycemia as well as neurodevelopmental defects and need for having their pancreas surgically removed.