Cambridge, UK-based Arecor develops AT278 (500U/mL) ultra-rapid-acting insulin. The companies struck a deal to pair the insulin with the Sequel twiist automated insulin delivery system. Additionally, the deal includes a financing agreement with Ligand Pharmaceuticals to bring in non-dilutive capital worth up to $11 million.
Arecor said its partnership with the insulin pump innovator reflects its commitment to transformative drug delivery solutions. It comes about a year-and-a-half after the company struck a deal with Medtronic to develop insulin for new pumps.
twiist, powered by Tidepool, won FDA clearance in March 2024 and launched this past summer, directly measures the volume of insulin delivered with every microdose. It offers the capability and flexibility to address each patient’s individual dosing needs. Sequel’s system utilizes sound waves that measure each pulse of insulin. This enables precision and helps understand exactly how much insulin the patient receives in a dose.
Sequel CEO Dr. Alan Lotvin explained the unique advantages of the new system in an interview last year.
The system leverages acoustic sensing to precisely measure each insulin dose. Arecor says the high level of precision makes it “an ideal complement” to the AT278 ultra-concentrated, ultra-rapid insulin product.
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies plan to co-fund all trial-enabling development activities for an automated system delivering AT278. They hope for the development program to achieve phase 2 trial-ready status. Each company plans to commit up to $1.3 million to accelerate and fund the work, including regulatory interactions and FDA filings, plus clinical trial batch manufacturing and compatibility work.
Sequel and Arecor plan to begin work immediately and complete their development in the first half of 2026. Once completed, they expect to file an investigational new drug (IND) application with the FDA. If approved, they can move forward with a clinical study in the second half of 2026.
Longer-term, the companies also confirmed their strategic intent to enter a broader co-development and commercialization partnership. This would enable further work with AT278 in a next-generation pump system.
Arecor says its insulin could potentially be the only option capable of enabling and catalyzing the next generation of longer-wear and miniaturized automated insulin delivery systems.
Commentary from Arecor and Sequel officials
Sarah Howell, CEO of Arecor Therapeutics said:
“Sequel has expertise in the development and commercialisation of AID Systems, exemplified by the recent launch of the innovative twiist AID system. The pairing of AT278 – the only ultra-concentrated (500U/mL), ultra-rapid insulin in development – with the twiist AID system, enables longer wear, even for those people with diabetes (PwD) who require high daily doses of insulin, as well as future miniaturisation opportunities. This combination will unlock powerful benefits for more PwD and provide more choice in how they manage their diabetes.
“We are proud to be bringing devices and therapeutics together in a collaboration which addresses a real unmet need in a high value market, helping people with diabetes better manage their blood glucose whilst significantly lowering the daily burden of disease management.”
Lotvin added:
“We take a comprehensive approach to diabetes management, exploring every opportunity to improve systems that make life easier for people living with diabetes. Our collaboration with Arecor presents a unique opportunity to deliver a truly next-generation solution by integrating our twiist AID system – powered by precision iiSure™ technology – with Arecor’s AT278, the only highly concentrated ultra-rapid acting insulin.
