Somatomedin-1 binding protein-3 [insulin-like growth factor-1 binding protein-3, SomatoKine®] is a recombinant complex of insulin-like growth factor-1 (rhIGF-1) and binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), which is the major circulating somatomedin (insulin-like growth factor) binding protein; binding protein-3 regulates the delivery of somatomedin-1 to target tissues. Somatomedin-1 binding protein-3 has potential as replacement therapy for somatomedin-1 which may become depleted in indications such as major surgery, organ damage/failure and traumatic injury, resulting in catabolism. It also has potential for the treatment of osteoporosis; diseases associated with protein wasting including chronic renal failure, cachexia and severe trauma; and to attenuate cardiac dysfunction in a variety of disease states, including after severe burn trauma. Combined therapy with somatomedin-1 and somatomedin-1 binding protein-3 would prolong the duration of action of somatomedin-1 and would reduce or eliminate some of the undesirable effects associated with somatomedin-1 monotherapy. Somatomedin-1 is usually linked to binding protein-3 in the normal state of the body, and particular proteases clip them apart in response to stresses and release somatomedin-1 as needed. Therefore, somatomedin-1 binding protein-3 is a self-dosing system and SomatoKine® would augment the natural supply of these linked compounds. Somatomedin-1 binding protein-3 was developed by Celtrix using its proprietary recombinant protein production technology. Subsequently, Celtrix was acquired by Insmed Pharmaceuticals on June 1 2000. Insmed and Avecia, UK, have signed an agreement for the manufacturing of SomatoKine® and its components, IGF-1 and binding protein-3. CGMP clinical production of SomatoKine® and its components will be done in Avecia's Advanced Biologies Centre, Billingham, UK, which manufactures recombinant-based medicines and vaccines with a capacity of up to 1000 litres. In 2003, manufacturing of SomatoKine® is planned to move to Avecia's larger facility with a capacity of 10000 litres. Somatomedin-1 binding protein-3 was originally licenced to Welfide for Japan. On October 1 2001, Welfide Corporation merged with Mitsubishi-Tokyo Pharmaceuticals to form Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation. The new company is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical. In April 2003 Insmed initiated a named patient programme in Europe, that will make available somatomedin-1 binding protein-3 for the treatment of growth hormone insensitivity syndrome (GHIS) - Laron syndrome. The treatment of patients was initiated in Scandinavia, with authorisation pending in several other European countries. Somatomedin-1 binding protein-3 will be made available to those GHIS patients who, in the opinion of their doctor, may benefit from IGF-1 therapy. At precommercial scale quantities, the drug will be available on a limited basis. Safety data generated from the named patient programme will be used to support marketing applications in 2004. A phase II dose-ranging study in children with GHIS was completed at Saint Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine, London, UK. A single dose of somatomedin-1 binding protein-3 delivered the same amount of IGF-1 as two daily injections of unbound IGF-1. There were no adverse events reported. GHIS is a genetic condition in which patients do not produce adequate quantities of IGF because of a failure to respond to the growth hormone signal. This results in a slower growth rate and short stature. Insmed has acquired an exclusive licence to Pharmacia's regulatory filings concerning yeast-derived IGF-1. These filings were used by Pharmacia to receive marketing approvals in several European countries and also in the investigational New Drug Application with the US FDA. This licence will facilitate the development of SomatoKine® for the treatment of children with GHIS. In January 2003, Insmed announced positive results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study of SomatoKine® in adolescent patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus receiving insulin therapy. The study was conducted at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, under the supervision of Professor D. Dunger. It has also been granted orphan drug status for the treatment of GHIS - Laron syndrome in the US and in Europe. Celtrix has been granted 11 US patents for its recombinant protein production technology, which it used for developing somatomedin-1 binding protein-3. Subsequently, Celtrix was acquired by Insmed Pharmaceuticals on June 1 2000. Following the acquisition, Insmed announced that it intends to maintain the US rights to Celtrix's products portfolio. These US patents will expire between 2010 through 2017. Insmed is holding a US patent (expires in 2019) for the use of SomatoKine® in the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
