Researchers working on a new bioelectronic implant that could improve the impact of obesity and type 2 diabetes treatments have been backed by almost US$35m in new funding.
ROGUE (Rx On-site Generation Using Electronics), developed as part of a multi-university project, is a self-contained, durable implantable device that houses cells engineered to produce type diabetes and obesity therapies in response to patients’ physiological needs.
It reportedly functions as a “living pharmacy” designed to make biologic drugs, or biologics, a rapidly expanding group of therapies derived from living cells, accessible in the body on demand. With a target cost of goods below US$1k for at least one year of therapy, ROGUE also aims to significantly lower the costs of biologics-based treatments.
The device uses closed-loop bioelectronics to support, monitor and adjust drug production and dosing as well as communicate with patients.
The implant will be recharged using a wearable device weekly or even less frequently, eliminating the need for managing daily, weekly or monthly medication administering, storage and restocking. This technology is designed for rapid and cost-effective deployment via a minimally invasive procedure in an outpatient clinic.
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has awarded the project US$34.9m to accelerate its development.
Omid Veiseh, professor of bioengineering and faculty director of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, one of the parties involved in the project, says: “ROGUE’s innovative design combines efficient biological manufacturing, long-term durability and patient-friendly features that have the potential to transform the landscape of biologics delivery.
Jonathan Rivnay, a professor of biomedical engineering at Northwestern University, also part of the project, says: “ROGUE’s ability to produce glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) on site will address these high costs and improve patient adherence by eliminating the need for frequent injections.
“GLP-1 RAs have proven effective in enhancing insulin secretion, reducing glucose levels and promoting significant weight loss, making them a first-line therapy for diabetes and obesity.
“Our collaborative efforts are paving the way for the ROGUE platform to become a revolutionary force in the field of biologics. This technology not only addresses the limitations of current biologics but also offers a sustainable, long-term solution for managing chronic diseases.”
GLP-1 RAs are a leading class of drugs for treating patients with T2D and obesity. Unlike other T2D therapies, GLP-1 RA-based drugs are also effective against obesity. Despite their efficacy, GLP-1 RAs are expensive and often inaccessible to many patients.
ROGUE’s sustainable, on-demand production system will mitigate these challenges by providing a cost-effective, widely available solution, according to the research team. The ROGUE device is expected to offer the same benefits as traditional GLP-1 RAs, including the prevention of cardiovascular and kidney disease progression in high-risk patients.
Other institutions involved in ROGUE include Boston University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of California Berkeley, the Mayo Clinic and New York City-based Bruder Consulting and Venture Group.
The consortium brings together experts in biomedical engineering, synthetic biology, materials science, electrical engineering and related fields to co-design and develop the implant technology.
