A new insulin which is rapid-acting and ultra-concentrated is due to be tested in clinical trials in 2018. The insulin, which was developed through a partnership between JDRF and pharmaceutical company Arecor, could lead to smaller (and therefore easier-to-wear) insulin pumps.
Most people living with T1D are on injections an use a mix of different types of insulins throughout the day. Rapid-acting insulin is commonly used to manage glucose levels following meals, with a long-acting insulin being used as ‘background’ insulin, lasting up to 24-hours. Those on insulin pumps only use rapid-acting insulin. To date, concentrated insulins have been unable to act as fast as rapid-acting insulins. This has meant that larger volumes of rapid-acting insulin are needed to manage glucose levels following meals.
In 2016 JDRF partnered up with UK pharmaceutical company Arecor to develop a new rapid-acting, ultra-concentrated insulin. The project has been a success. The new insulin has now been fully tested in the lab, and the team aim to start clinical trials in humans later this year.
If shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials, the ultra-concentrated nature of the insulin means that it could be stored in smaller vials for use in pumps, which could lead to pumps shrinking further in size.
Director of Research Partnerships for JDRF UK Rachel Connor says, “This is exciting news. This new rapid-acting, ultra-concentrated insulin is the first of its kind, and we’re looking forward to the results of the clinical trial. This project really highlights how working with industry can drive things forward for people living with Type 1.”
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