Transforming the lives of patients with
severe insulin resistance

INSPARIN stands at the forefront of a new era in glucose management, offering innovative insulin-independent treatment options for patients with severe insulin resistance syndromes, rare genetic insulin receptor deficiencies, lipodystrophies and other metabolic diseases that affect mostly children and adolescents.
Our Science

insulin-independent
pathways for Glucose Control

After years of groundbreaking research in understanding the adenovirus viral proteome, we discovered E4orf1, a protein with a unique mechanism to enhance glucose uptake and insulin utilization acting directly in muscle, liver and adipose tissue.
 
Unlike traditional diabetes therapies that require insulin to exert their effects, INSPARIN offers a discovery platform of first-in class pipeline therapeutic candidates to act via an insulin-independent pathway to control glucose uptake and optimize insulin requirements.
 
INSPARIN candidates become a promising choice for patients with severe defects in the insulin pathway and for those who are unable to produce sufficient amounts of insulin.
OUR PIPELINE

First-In-Class Candidates

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

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.​

Severe Insulin Resistance in Type-1 and Type-2 Diabetes

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.

Metabolic Syndrome

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.

get to know us

Our Team

cAREERS

Join Our Mission

Impact

Develop life-changing therapies that address severe insulin resistance and help patients who have no other options.

Innovation

Work at the forefront of scientific discovery, leveraging cutting-edge research to create first-in-class therapeutics.

Growth

Join a fast-moving startup where your contributions shape the company’s success and accelerate your career in biotech.

Ownership

Take full ownership of impactful projects from day one.

Interested? Email us at careers@insparin.com

NEWS

Press and Publications

Selected Publications

  1. Wang ZQ, Cefalu WT, Zhang XH, Yu Y, Qin J, Son L, Rogers PM, Mashtalir N, Bordelon J, Ye J and Dhurandhar NV.  Human adenovirus type 36 enhances glucose uptake in diabetic and non-diabetic human skeletal muscle cells independent of insulin signaling.  Diabetes. 2008; 57(7):1805-13.
  2. Peddibhotla S, Hegde V, Akheruzzaman M, Dhurandhar NV.  E4orf1 protein reduces the need for endogenous insulin.  Nutr Diabetes. 2019 May 24;9(1):17. doi: 10.1038/s41387-019-0085-x.
  3. Shastri AA, Hegde V, Peddibhotla S, Feizy Z, Dhurandhar NV. E4orf1: A Protein for Enhancing Glucose Uptake Despite Impaired Proximal Insulin Signaling.  PLoS ONE 2018; Dec 6;13(12):e0208427.
  4. Akheruzzaman Md, Hegde V, Siddik AB, Feizy Z, Shin A, and Dhurandhar NV.  E4orf1-induced reduction in endogenous insulin level is independent of pancreas endocrine function.  Int J Obesity 2022 Jan 12. doi: 10.1038/s41366-021-01062-3.
  5. Feizy Z, Peddibhotla S, Khan S, Hegde V, Wang S, Dhurandhar NV.  Nanoparticle-mediated in vitro delivery of E4orf1 to preadipocytes is a clinically relevant delivery system to improve glucose uptake Int J Obes (Lond). 2020 Jul;44(7):1607-1616. doi: 10.1038/s41366-020-0526-6

DIEGO SILVA, M.D., Ph.d.

Chief Executive Officer

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 DHURANDHAR, M.S., L.C.E.H., Ph.d., F.T.O.S.

Chief Scientific Officer

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

Chief Business Officer

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.

Chief Research Officer

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

Chief Operating Officer

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.


1. Acceptance of Terms

By using this Site, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms, which may be updated by us at any time without notice. Your continued use of the Site after such modifications constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Use of the Website

You agree to use this Site for lawful purposes only. You may not use this Site in any way that violates any local, state, national, or international law or regulation.

You agree not to:

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You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account information, including your password, and for all activities that occur under your account. Notify us immediately if you suspect any unauthorized use of your account.

4. Intellectual Property

All content on the Site, including text, images, graphics, logos, designs, and software, is the property of Insparin or its licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, or use any content from the Site for commercial purposes without our express written consent.

5. Privacy and Data Protection

Your use of the Site is also governed by our [Privacy Policy]. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and share your personal information.

6. Third-Party Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience and informational purposes only. Insparin does not control, endorse, or assume any responsibility for the content or practices of any third-party websites.

7. Disclaimers

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We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Site at any time, without notice, for any reason, including for violation of these Terms.

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These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

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Any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Site shall be resolved through binding arbitration in the State of Texas, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association or a similar body.

12. Miscellaneous

  • Severability: If any provision of these Terms is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
  • Entire Agreement: These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Insparin regarding the use of the Site.


Contact Information
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:
Email: info@insparin.com

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.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

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We use the information we collect in the following ways:

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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.

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings, but doing so may limit some functionality on 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:

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To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [Insert Contact Information].

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Our Site is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from children under 18. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible.

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10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

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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If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us at:

Insparin
Email: info@insparin.com