PORTEFEUILLE

DIATHERIS is a spin-off of the University of Geneva with the goal of developing a groundbreaking therapeutic solution to improve the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Currently, insulin therapy stands as the sole option for type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients. However, this therapy has proven suboptimal, with a central challenge being the achievement of proper glycemic control without the associated risks of life-threatening hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis. Additionally, the lipogenic action of therapeutic insulin contributes to overweight, a significant factor in cardiovascular co-morbidities among T1D patients. The existing strategies to enhance insulin therapy for T1D fall short of providing a satisfactory solution. While adjunct therapies improve hyperglycemia, they concurrently elevate the risk of life-threatening hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis—persistent challenges in T1D treatments. At Diatheris, we are actively developing a first-in-class therapeutic solution to overcome these limitations and enhance T1D management. Our proprietary approach hinges on a small protein known as S100A9. The S100A9 treatment exploits an insulin-independent pathway, displaying remarkable results in combination with low-dose insulin. This combination works to improve glycemic control, effectively normalizing glycemia without the associated risks of hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis.

The Innobooster program has been instrumental in developing a final drug manufacturing process, enabling the production of an optimized investigational medical product. This support has been crucial in overcoming key limitations in the manufacturing process, allowing for significant optimization of both the formulation and production workflow.
As part of this effort, extensive proof-of-concept studies were conducted, alongside a detailed investigation into the drug’s mechanism of action. These studies have provided critical insights that not only enhance our understanding of the drug’s efficacy but also contribute to the refinement of its development strategy.
Furthermore, the work carried out with Innobooster’s support has played a pivotal role in defining a comprehensive regulatory plan. This plan has now been instrumental in advancing the final phase of preclinical development and in preparing the strategy for the first-in-human clinical trial, marking a crucial step toward the next stage of the project.