Clinical Pharmacology of Albiglutide, a GLP-1 Receptor Agonist

AbstractAlbiglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue composed of tandem copies of modified human glucagon-like peptide-1 (7–36) coupled to recombinant human albumin that is approved in adults for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. After subcutaneous administration, albiglutide is likely primarily absorbed via the lymphatic circulation, with maximum concentrations being reached in 3 to 5 days; steady-state exposures are achieved following approximately 4 to 5 weeks of once-weekly administration. The elimination half-life of albiglutide is approximately 5 days. Clearance of albiglutide is 67 mL/h with between-subject variability of 34.9%; no covariates have been identified that would require dose adjustment of albiglutide. Albiglutide lowers the fasting plasma glucose and reduces postprandial glucose excursions. In addition, β-cell secretion is enhanced by albiglutide during hyperglycemia, whereas secretion is suppressed during hypoglycemia; α-cell response to hypoglycemia is not impaired by al...