Engineering and characterization of the long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue LY2189265, an Fc fusion protein.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are novel agents for type 2 diabetes treatment, offering glucose-dependent insulinotropic effects, reduced glucagonemia and a neutral bodyweight or weight-reducing profile. However, a short half-life (minutes), secondary to rapid inactivation by dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) and excretion, limits the therapeutic potential of the native GLP-1 hormone. Recently, the GLP-1 receptor agonist exenatide injected subcutaneously twice daily established a novel therapy class.