Protomer Gets a Boost to Develop Glucose Responsive Insulin

On Monday, November 9, 2020, dot.LA reported that Protomer Technologies, Inc., a Pasadena-based biopharmaceutical startup, announced the completion of an investment by the JDRF T1D Fund following an initial equity investment in Protomer led by Eli Lilly and Company.

The company’s proprietary Molecular Engineering of Protein Sensors (MEPS) platform enables the development of therapeutic peptides and proteins with tunable activity that can be controlled using small molecules. Protomer has used this approach toward developing a portfolio of therapeutic candidates, including a glucose responsive insulin that can sense sugar levels in the blood and automatically activate as needed throughout the day. Protomer’s chemical biology-based MEPS platform enables rapid turn-on and turn-off capability for automatic activity control of peptides and proteins. This technology will enable development of targeted therapies with dual homing to reduce off-target effects.

“The investment, initially led by Lilly and now supported by JDRF T1D Fund, further validates Protomer’s platform technology and helps advance our science to better serve the needs of patients,” said Protomer CEO, Alborz Mahdavi. “This round of financing positions us to advance our insulin program and the MEPS platform with support from Lilly and JDRF T1D Fund.”

BioscienceLA CEO Dave Whelan is quoted in the article saying, "It's not only an advance for life sciences and care, but because they're making progress and getting additional funding, that helps them grow the whole industry here. We absolutely need more of that going on in L.A."

Protomer has been a role model for talent development, working with initiatives like the South Bay Workforce Investment Board’s Bio-Flex Program.