Scientists are developing a new generation of ‘smart’ insulins that could transform the way people with type 1 diabetes manage their condition.
The breakthrough treatments mimic the body’s response to changing blood sugar levels in real-time, reducing the need for frequent injections to just once a week. This week, those behind experimental ‘glucose-responsive’ insulins were awarded £2.7m ($3.5m) to fast-track their development, as part of the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge.
“Glucose-responsive insulins are regarded as the holy grail of insulin as they would come as close to a cure for type 1 diabetes as any drug therapy could,” said Dr Tim Heise, vice-chair of the novel insulins scientific advisory panel for the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge.
“These research projects, if successful, might do no less than heralding a new era in insulin therapy.”
The Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge is a pioneering partnership between the Steve Morgan Foundation and Diabetes UK that is working towards the shared goal of transforming the lives of people with type 1 diabetes and finding a cure for the condition.
The Steve Morgan Foundation’s £50 million ($64.5m) investment - the largest ever single donation in the UK for diabetes research - is being led from the UK and brings together the world’s preeminent researchers, scientific organisations and diabetes charities to drive innovations and breakthroughs over a five-year period. The race is on.