Intrexon, Janssen Pharmaceutica partner to develop therapies for Type 2 diabetes

T2D is a chronic syndrome that is caused due to dysregulation of blood sugar levels.

The research collaboration is expected to address underlying pathologies of diabetes, which is affecting more than 387 million people worldwide at a cost over $376bn.

Through the partnership, the companies will use Intrexon’s ActoBiotics technology to tackle multiple aspects of T2D with the potential to improve efficacy in maintaining glycemic control in the long term.

The ActoBiotics technology is said to offer the ability to deliver biological effectors selectively to the oral and gastrointestinal tract enabling treatment opportunities that cannot be achieved through customary mechanisms like injectable medicines and permitting ease of administration for patients.

Current treatments available for T2D generally target only specific aspects of the disease, leaving other related complications insufficiently addressed.

Intrexon health sector senior vice president Samuel Broder said: "Through the use of Intrexon’s proprietary ActoBiotics platform, we believe this collaboration will make a significant contribution to this substantial global health issue.

"The breadth of opportunity to treat an array of diseases with our versatile ActoBiotics technology continues to expand."

Besides developing therapies to treat T2D, the companies will work on preventing diabetes.