CrimeaPRESS reports:
«Smart» insulin (or «intelligent» insulin) is an innovative development in the field of diabetes treatment, which is aimed at automatically regulating blood glucose levels without the need for frequent injections and constant monitoring by the patient. This type of insulin promises to revolutionize the care of patients with diabetes, especially with type 1 diabetes, where regular insulin administration is required — the portal reports «Disabled People’s News».
What is the scientists’ development?
Key aspects of smart insulin
Mechanism of action:
- Smart insulin is activated in response to rising blood glucose levels. Unlike regular insulin, which acts continuously after injection, smart insulin remains inactive in the body until blood sugar levels rise to a certain point.
- When glucose levels rise, insulin is activated and begins to lower them to normal levels. Once sugar levels stabilize, insulin action stops, preventing the risk of hypoglycemia (excessive decrease in blood sugar levels).
Technologies and research:
- Glucose-sensitive polymers: These materials respond to changes in blood glucose levels and can release insulin when it is needed.
- sustained-release insulin: Forms of insulin that remain in the body, being released only when needed, are being studied.
- Nanotechnology: Some developments include the use of nanoparticles that carry insulin and release it in response to rising glucose levels.
Advantages of «smart» insulin:
- Reduced need for frequent injections: Smart insulin can significantly reduce the number of injections because it lasts longer and responds to changes in glucose levels automatically.
- Hypoglycemia prevention: One of the main problems in diabetes management is hypoglycemia. Smart insulin automatically stops working when glucose levels drop to normal levels, which significantly reduces the risk of dangerous conditions.
- Improved quality of life: Diabetic patients can avoid the need to constantly monitor their sugar levels and worry about whether they have taken the right amount of insulin.
Development stages and clinical trials:
- At the moment, “smart” insulin is at different stages of development and clinical trials. Various research groups and pharmaceutical companies are working on creating such drugs, and some of them are already undergoing clinical trials on humans.
- For example, a research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University worked to develop insulin that is activated only when glucose levels rise.
Prospects and challenges:
- The development of smart insulin promises to revolutionize diabetes management, but it also faces a number of challenges. For example, more time and research is needed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these drugs.
- Also important aspects are the cost of production and the availability of such insulin to patients.
Experts emphasize that “smart” insulin is one of the most promising approaches to diabetes treatment, which can significantly ease the lives of millions of people suffering from this disease. However, its mass implementation requires further research and clinical trials to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the new therapy. Active research is currently ongoing, and significant progress in this area can be expected in the coming years.
«Smart» insulin — who is doing the research
Smart insulin research is underway in countries including the US, Australia and China. These projects aim to create insulin that can automatically regulate blood sugar levels without constant intervention from the patient. Here are six notable innovative projects that are worth considering:
MIT and Harvard University (USA)
- Research group: At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, work is underway to create a «smart» insulin that is activated when blood glucose levels rise.
- technology: Researchers are developing molecular mechanisms based on glucose-sensitive polymers. These polymers change their structure depending on the concentration of glucose, releasing insulin when sugar levels rise.
- goal: to create insulin that acts only when needed, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia and reducing the number of injections.
Sanofi and the University of Geneva (USA and Switzerland)
- partnership: French pharmaceutical company Sanofi is collaborating with scientists at the University of Geneva to develop “smart” insulin.
- technology: the project uses nanoparticles that react to glucose levels and can release insulin at the right time. These nanoparticles are able to circulate in the blood and are activated only when sugar levels are high.
- Objective: To develop a long-term solution for patients with diabetes that will provide automatic glucose regulation.
UC San Francisco (USA)
- Research group: Research is underway at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to create bioengineered insulin.
- Technology: Scientists are developing a modified insulin that responds to blood glucose levels thanks to built-in sensors and release mechanisms. They are also investigating genes that may help control insulin release based on sugar levels.
- goal: to create insulin that is automatically activated in response to changes in glucose levels, minimizing the risk of hypo- and hyperglycemia.
University of Melbourne (Australia)
- Research group: University of Melbourne is working on a project to develop ‘smart’ insulin using biomaterials.
- technology: Research is focused on developing controlled-release insulin that is triggered when sugar levels rise. The project involves the use of glucose-sensitive polymers.
- goal: to develop a safe and effective insulin that will respond to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, providing stable glycemic control.
Tsinghua University (China)
- Research team: Leading Chinese scientists from Tsinghua University are working to create ‘smart’ insulin using bioengineering.
- Technology: The project focuses on creating glucose-sensitive insulin delivery systems based on biomaterials that can control insulin release depending on glucose levels.
- goal: to provide patients with diabetes with a new way to control their blood sugar levels with minimal risk of complications.
University of East Anglia (UK)
- research team: Scientists from the University of East Anglia (UEA) are also conducting research into smart insulin.
- technology: They are developing insulin that changes its structure at certain glucose levels, allowing it to turn on and off depending on the body’s needs.
- The goal: to create insulin that can adapt to changing blood sugar levels, making diabetes management much easier for patients.
These projects represent cutting-edge research into smart insulin that could significantly improve the lives of people with diabetes. Although these developments are at different stages of research and testing, they all share the same goal: creating insulin that automatically regulates blood sugar levels, making diabetes treatment more convenient, safer, and more effective.
When will smart insulin hit the market?
The likelihood that smart insulin will hit the market in the near future depends on several factors, including the current state of research, clinical trials, regulatory hurdles, and commercial readiness. Here’s a closer look at these factors:
Current status of research and development
- Advanced research: Several promising projects are currently in or near clinical trials. For example, research at MIT, UC San Francisco, the University of Melbourne, and elsewhere is moving forward, indicating significant progress in creating smart insulin.
- early stages: Some technologies are in the early stages of development and may require additional research and optimization before reaching the market.
Clinical trials
- clinical trial phases: Drugs must go through several phases of clinical trials to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness. This includes preliminary tests on a small number of volunteers, followed by larger studies on a larger number of patients.
- Timeframe: Depending on the results of the trials, the process can take several years. Successful completion of all stages of clinical trials is critical to market entry.
Regulatory barriers
- Registration and approval: In order for smart insulin to be released to the market, it must receive approval from regulatory agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other national regulators.
- approval process: This process involves providing data on the safety, efficacy and quality of the drug. The procedure can take a considerable amount of time and requires careful review and verification.
Technological readiness
- technical challenges: developing smart insulin involves complex technological solutions, such as creating insulin with glucose-sensitive polymers or nanoparticles. These technologies must be brought to a commercially viable level.
- Manufacturing capabilities: It is also necessary to ensure large-scale production of insulin, which involves developing and implementing manufacturing processes that meet high quality standards.
Commercial readiness and market
- Investment and funding: Successful market entry requires significant investment in development, clinical trials and commercialization. Investment from pharmaceutical companies and venture capitalists plays a key role.
- Market and needs: If smart insulin is to become available, it must be commercially viable and meet market needs. This includes assessing affordability and accessibility for end users.
Forecasts and expectations
- Expectations: Some experts believe that, depending on the success of ongoing clinical trials and development, smart insulin could hit the market within the next 5 to 10 years. This is an optimistic forecast given the current pace of technology and clinical research.
- realistic timeframes: a more conservative forecast could be within 10-15 years, taking into account all stages of development and regulatory processes.
Thus, while the development of smart insulin is progressing and there are high expectations, the likelihood of its coming to market in the near future depends on the successful completion of clinical trials, obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals, and commercial readiness. Given the current advances in this area, the optimistic forecast for the appearance of smart insulin on the market may be within 5-10 years, but this may also depend on unforeseen factors and the success of ongoing research.
source: https://www.inva.news/
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