CeQur Appoints Michael Trautmann, MD Medical Director for Anti-Diabetic Peptides

HORW, Switzerland, Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CeQur SA, a company focused on the development and commercialization of simple delivery devices for diabetes, announced the appointment of Michael Trautmann, MD as medical director for anti-diabetic peptides, effective immediately.

Dr. Trautmann has nearly 30 years of experience treating patients and conducting research in the fields of diabetes and endocrinology.  From 1993 to 2012, he held senior clinical research positions at Lilly Research Laboratories, with responsibilities that included contributing to the clinical development of insulin lispro and serving as a senior member of the global team that developed exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) used to treat type 2 diabetes. Most recently, Dr. Trautmann served as senior medical fellow, Lilly Diabetes Global Medical Team.

"Based on the depth and focus of Michael's experience with diabetes research and treatment, as well as his extensive experience with insulin and GLP-1, he is the ideal individual to lead our effort investigating the potential to administer anti-diabetic peptides with our infusion delivery technology," said James Peterson, founder and CEO of CeQur. "There is a tremendous need for simple, discreet, effective, and less-invasive therapy for people with type 2 diabetes.

"We are excited to have recently received CE Mark for PaQ, which means our technology is now ready to help millions of insulin users. Other peptides may provide additional opportunities to leverage our technology to help those struggling with diabetes treatment," Peterson said.

The PaQ Delivery Device is a discreet, wearable device that provides three days of consistent, basal insulin infusion along with easy, on-demand bolus delivery. The device consists of a disposable insulin-infuser reservoir attached to a reusable insulin monitor. PaQ is simple to use, making it easy to train patients to start and stay on therapy. CeQur is investigating the potential to adapt this low-cost and accurate delivery technology to deliver other important diabetes therapies.

In his new role, Dr. Trautmann will guide the qualification process for the CeQur device as an infuser for GLP-1 and, potentially, other peptides to treat people with type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 is an initial target area for CeQur due to the demonstrated need for administration methods that help patients achieve optimal GLP-1 plasma levels for sustained periods, maximizing efficacy while minimizing side effects. This balance can be difficult to achieve with currently available dosing options. Results from early-stage trials using subcutaneous infusion - such as that provided with CeQur technology - suggest that it is a potentially viable GLP-1 administration option.

"I'm thrilled to join this stellar team of professionals as they work to improve diabetes treatment," Trautmann said. "The opportunity to explore how an alternative delivery method may enable a greater number of patients to access important anti-diabetic peptide therapies is particularly exciting."

About CeQur SA
CeQur^® is dedicated to developing and commercializing advanced delivery devices that make it easier for people living with type 2 diabetes to adhere to therapy and stay in control of their disease. The company is headquartered in Horw, Switzerland, with operations in Nordborg, Denmark and Marlborough, Massachusetts.

CeQur was established in January 2008. The company's lead product candidate is the PaQ Insulin Delivery Device, a novel, wearable device that provides freedom from multiple daily injections.  More information can be found at www.cequrcorp.com.

Contact:
Michele Parisi
925/429-1850
[email protected]

SOURCE CeQur SA