Our therapeutic candidates are first-in-class of “insulin-sparing” compounds: treatments that act directly on muscle, liver and adipose cells to improve glycemic control independent of insulin.
Severe insulin resistance syndromes, affect 0.1%–0.5% of children and young adults in diabetes clinics. This group of conditions are orphan rare diseases ranging from genetic insulin receptor abnormalities to lipodystrophies and other complex metabolic disorders that cause hyperinsulinemia and impaired glucose control. INSPARIN therapies target insulin-independent pathways, offering a groundbreaking alternative for improving blood glucose control and the quality of life for these underserved patients.
INSPARIN holds the potential to significantly improve diabetes control and beta-cell health in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Up to 10% of people living with diabetes develop insulin resistance, commonly becoming a therapeutic and a clinical challenge. By enhancing glucose regulation without relying on insulin, INSPARIN could reduce the burden of frequent insulin injections, risk of hypoglycemia and overall offer a higher quality of life for patients.
Beyond glucose control, INSPARIN shows promise in managing fatty liver conditions and metabolic syndrome, potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. This further extends INSPARIN therapeutic reach, positioning it as a versatile treatment option for multiple metabolic and cardiovascular conditions.
Develop life-changing therapies that address severe insulin resistance and help patients who have no other options.
Join a fast-moving startup where your contributions shape the company’s success and accelerate your career in biotech.
Take full ownership of impactful projects from day one.
Interested? Email us at careers@insparin.com
Diego Silva, M.D., Ph.D., is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive, physician, and scientist. As Insparin Therapeutics’ Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Silva drives the company’s mission to revolutionize metabolic disease treatment through science and innovation.
With over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, Dr. Silva has held leadership roles at major global companies, shaping the strategic direction, regulatory approval and launch of blockbuster therapies in global markets, including US, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Prior to joining Insparin, he served as Vice President of Medical Affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene, where he led medical strategy and commercialization efforts for pipeline and launch assets in neuroscience and gastroenterology.
Before that, he was an executive at Novartis in Switzerland and Australia overseeing medical affairs and market expansion initiatives.
Dr. Silva has also served in drug development roles at Vaxine Pty Ltd, Mylexa Pty Ltd and Pharmaxis Pty Ltd, further solidifying his expertise in immunology and drug development leadership.
Dr. Silva’s background as both a physician and researcher has fueled his passion and entrepreneurial spirit for bringing transformative therapies to patients in need, his leadership has been instrumental in guiding discovery, therapy approvals and product lifecycles for innovative treatments.
Dr. Silva earned his M.D. from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and a Ph.D. in Immunology from The Australian National University.
With a commitment to scientific excellence and patient-centric innovation, he continues to lead Insparin Therapeutics toward redefining the future of metabolic disease treatment.
Nikhil V. Dhurandhar, M.S., L.C.E.H., Ph.D., F.T.O.S. is a globally recognized physician-scientist and obesity researcher with over 40 years of experience in metabolic disease and obesity treatment and research. As Chief Scientific Officer of Insparin Therapeutics, Dr. Dhurandhar leads the company’s scientific strategy, driving the discovery and development of groundbreaking therapies for metabolic disorders.
A pioneer in the field, Dr. Dhurandhar’s research has reshaped the understanding of obesity, particularly obesity of viral origins. His decades of work on viruses that—paradoxically—improve glucose control led to the discovery of E4ORF1, a viral protein that forms the basis of Insparin’s drug platform.
This breakthrough has created an entirely new drug category, “Insparins,” which function like insulin but are structurally distinct enough to use insulin-independent pathways for glucose transport, offering a novel approach to metabolic disease treatment.
Dr. Dhurandhar has held key leadership positions in academia and research. He is currently a Professor, Helen Dewitt Jones Endowed Chair, Paul W. Horn Distinguished Professor, and Chair of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Texas Tech University, as well as Associate Dean for Innovation.
Dr. Dhurandhar is on the Scientific Advisory Board of Medifast Inc. and the American Pistachio Growers, and is a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors, Texas Tech Chapter.
He is a past member of the Global Egg Nutrition Expert Group of the International Egg Commission
He has also consulted with major pharmaceutical companies in metabolic disease, including Novartis and Novo Nordisk.
Dr. Dhurandhar has treated over 15,000 patients for obesity using both lifestyle interventions and pharmacological treatments. He has authored over 180 scientific publications and holds 50 U.S. and international patents related to obesity and diabetes therapeutics. His expertise has been featured in The New York Times, National Geographic, BBC, CNN, and numerous other media outlets.
Dr. Dhurandhar earned his medical degree, Bachelors in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Biochemistry in India and received an M.S. and extensive training in Clinical Nutrition in the United States. At Insparin Therapeutics, he continues to pioneer novel solutions for metabolic disease, transforming how obesity and diabetes are understood and treated.
Daniel O’Connor is a seasoned healthcare executive, entrepreneur, and investor with over 25 years of experience at the nexus of biopharma, digital health, and clinical research. Currently serving as Chief Business Officer at Insparin Therapeutics, he drives corporate strategy, business development, and strategic partnerships to revolutionize metabolic disease treatment.
Mr. O’Connor is also the Founder and Managing Director of Headwaters Health Capital—a firm dedicated to financing and incubating cutting-edge healthcare and life sciences ventures—and a Board Member at React19 (a patient advocacy non-profit) underscoring his influential role in shaping the future of healthcare innovation.
Mr. O’Connor founded TrialSite News, a global digital health media platform and pioneer in biomedical research communications. He co-founded InnovoCommerce, which developed the first commercial investigator portal for pharmaceutical sponsors, deployed by a handful of the largest pharmaceutical companies.
Mr. O’Connor co-founded Zoch Software, the world’s first Microsoft SharePoint-based FDA compliant supporting system acquired and now owned by DXC Technology (formerly CSC).
He serves on other boards and companies such as CrossTx Inc., a Bozeman, Montana leader in delivering Medicare-based solutions for chronic care management.
His expertise in M&A, corporate finance, and commercial strategy has enabled him to scale startups, negotiate strategic deals, and drive substantial revenue growth over the years.
Mr. O’Connor’s work emphasizes patient-centric innovation, decentralized clinical trials, and health equity advocacy, positioning him as a recognized leader in his field.
He holds a B.A. from San Francisco State University, an M.A. in Public Policy from UCLA, along with a J.D. from the University of California San Francisco (Formerly UC Hastings).
Vijay Hegde, M.S., Ph.D. is a leading metabolic researcher and Chief Research Officer at Insparin Therapeutics, where he spearheads the execution of research efforts to advance groundbreaking therapies for metabolic disorders.
With deep expertise in molecular biology, metabolic pathways, and therapeutic discovery, he has been elucidating novel drug targets that drive Insparin’s innovation.
Dr. Hegde’s work focuses on preclinical research as a stepping stone to clinical application. He has led the execution and validation of key studies that underpin Insparin’s proprietary drug development pipeline. His rigorous approach to experimental design, data analysis, and mechanistic insights has been crucial in uncovering new therapeutic strategies for metabolic and obesity-related diseases.
With a career dedicated to cutting-edge metabolic research, Dr. Hegde’s contributions extend beyond discovery—his expertise ensures that scientific findings translate into viable, impactful treatments. He continues to push the boundaries of metabolic science, leading Insparin’s research efforts toward transformative solutions.
Dr. Hegde received a B.S. in Botany and an M.S. in Plant Physiology from the University of Mumbai in India. He received a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Sheffield in the U.K.
Dr. Hegde is currently an Associate Professor at Texas Tech University.
Rohan Dhurandhar is the Chief Operating Officer at Insparin, where he leads the company’s business operations with a focus on driving strategic growth and enhancing organizational performance. Mr. Dhurandhar brings experience in managing day-to-day operations, optimizing processes, and ensuring the successful execution of initiatives that propel Insparin’s mission forward.
Before joining Insparin, Mr. Dhurandhar was co-founder and CEO of ObThera – a digital health startup -where he played a key role in licensing intellectual property from leading academic institutions. His experience in research commercialization and business development allowed him to successfully bring healthtech innovations to market. This work involved negotiating strategic partnerships and ensuring that academic discoveries, particularly in the health sector, were translated into tangible solutions that could scale globally.
He previously served as Managing Director of MetaboLogix, where he honed his expertise in operational leadership in the health and wellness industry.
Mr. Dhurandhar holds an MBA in Marketing and Management from the Collatt School of Business at the University of Alabama – Birmingham, and a BS in Biological Sciences from Louisiana State University.
Terms and Conditions of Use
Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2024
Welcome to Insparin
Thank you for visiting our website (“Site”), owned and operated by Insparin Therapeutics, Inc. (“Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”). By accessing or using this Site, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”). Please read these Terms carefully before using our Site. If you do not agree to these Terms, you should not access or use the Site.
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Privacy Policy
Effective Date: Jan. 1st, 2025
Introduction
At Insparin Therapeutics, your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you visit our website (“Site”). By accessing or using our Site, you agree to the practices outlined in this Privacy Policy.
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We may collect the following types of personal information:
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We may share your personal information with third parties in the following situations:
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We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on the Site. Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device to help us recognize your preferences, personalize content, and analyze how visitors interact with the Site.
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The Site may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not operated or controlled by Insparin. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties, and this Privacy Policy does not apply to such sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites before providing your personal information.
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You have the right to:
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [Insert Contact Information].
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We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated Privacy Policy on this page with a revised “Effective Date.” Please review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
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Insparin
Email: info@insparin.com