Another controlled release product candidate in OctoPlus' portfolio is OP-286 CR, a GLP-1 agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The product candidate has been selected for development into a long-acting controlled release formulation that may substantially reduce the required dosing frequency in diabetes therapy, compared to current products on the market or in development, and with a potentially better tolerability profile. Pre-clinical development of this product has been initiated.

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) is a metabolic hormone that plays a central role in glucose handling. Various drug development efforts are directed towards its potential therapeutic benefit in diabetes treatment, and the only currently available GLP-1 based therapy requires twice-daily injections.

Diabetes is a worldwide health issue: the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 180 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes and projects that the number of deaths caused by diabetes will increase by more than 50% in the next 10 years if urgent action is not taken. Recent market reports estimate that global sales of anti-diabetics will exceed US$ 22 billion in 2011.

The standard treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes is oral antidiabetics; if that is not sufficient, patients require additional medication such as GLP-1 agonists or insulin. An important asset of diabetes treatment with GLP-1 agonists is that they induce weight loss, which is an added benefit for diabetes patients, who often suffer from excess body weight. In addition, GLP-1 agonists stimulate insulin production under hyperglycaemic conditions; therefore they are less likely to cause hypoglaecemia.