Scientists Hail 'Smart' Insulin That Responds To Changing Blood Sugar Levels In Real Time

The Guardian, Aug. 11, 2024. - Exclusive: People with type 1 diabetes may in future only need to give themselves insulin once a week, say experts
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Scientists have developed a “holy grail” insulin that responds to changing blood sugar levels in real-time and could revolutionise treatment for millions of people with type 1 diabetes worldwide. Patients currently have to give themselves synthetic insulin up to 10 times a day in order to survive. Constant fluctuation between high and low blood sugar levels can result in short- and long-term physical health issues, and the struggle to keep levels stable can also affect their mental health.

Scientists have found a solution that experts say comes as close to a cure for type 1 diabetes as any drug therapy could: smart insulin that lays dormant in the body and only springs into action when needed. Researchers in the US, Australia and China have successfully designed novel insulins that mimic the body’s natural response to changing blood sugar levels and respond instantly in real time. Standard insulins stabilise blood sugar levels when they enter the body, but once they have done their job, they typically cannot help with future fluctuations.

It means patients often need to inject more insulin again within just a few hours.

The new glucose-responsive insulins (GRIs) only become active when there is a certain amount of sugar in the blood to prevent hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose). They become inactive again when levels drop below a certain point, avoiding hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose). In future, patients may only need insulin once a week, experts believe. Scientists behind the smart insulins have been awarded millions of pounds in grants to fast-track their development.

“Glucose-responsive – so-called smart – 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.” Almost £3m has been awarded to six research projects that have developed different types of smart insulins. They include teams at Stanford University in the US, Monash University in Australia and Zhejiang University in China. The aim is to accelerate development and launch trials as soon as possible...
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/11/scientists-hail-smart-insulin-responds-changing-blood-sugar-levels-real-time-diabetes