Scientists Create Pancreas-Mimicking Insulin

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Facts

  • Researchers in the US, Australia, and China have developed smart insulins that mimic and respond to the body's natural response to changing blood sugar levels.[1]
  • The novel insulin, which can be activated only when needed, could reduce the frequency of Type 1 diabetes treatments to just once a week rather than up to 10 times a day.[2]
  • The researchers at Stanford University in the US, Monash University in Australia, and Zhejiang University in China have been awarded over £2.7M to develop these 'next-generation' insulins.[3]
  • Funding behind the progression has been focused on six new international research projects to develop glucose-responsive insulin, including one intended to create an ultra-fast, short-acting variant.[4]
  • Dr. Tim Heise, the vice-chair of the funding panel for the researchers, said the novel insulins could help diabetic patients balance their glycaemic control while avoiding hypoglycemia.[5]
  • In 2021, at least 537M people worldwide had diabetes. That number is projected to reach 783M by 2045.[6]

Sources: [1]Emirates24, [2]Daily Mail, [3]Diabetes UK, [4]Guardian, [5]Express.co.uk and [6]Statista.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Guardian. This development not only promises to reduce the frequency of treatments, but also to significantly reduce the risk of long-term health complications. Additionally, it could free millions of Type 1 diabetes patients from the constant need for glucose monitoring, thereby easing both physical and mental burdens of the condition.
  • Narrative B, as provided by STAT. While this treatment could be promising, accessibility and affordability remain critical issues. Only when older, cheaper versions of the drug are discontinued and unhealthy competition is checked can these game-changing insulins replace existing treatments and improve diabetics' lives.

Predictions