Molecular Engineering of Efficacious Mono-Valent Ultra-Long Acting Two-Chain Insulin-Fc Conjugates

Abstract

Here, we describe molecular engineering of monovalent ultra-long acting two-chain insulin-Fc conjugates. Insulin-Fc conjugates were synthesized using trifunctional linkers with one amino reactive group for reaction with a lysine residue of insulin and two thiol reactive groups used for re-bridging of a disulfide bond within the Fc molecule. The ultra-long pharmacokinetic profile of the insulin-Fc conjugates was the result of concertedly slowing insulin receptor-mediated clearance by (1) introduction of amino acid substitutions that lowered the insulin receptor affinity and (2) conjugating insulin to the Fc element. Fc conjugation leads to recycling by the neonatal Fc receptor and increase in the molecular size, both contributing to the ultra-long pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles.