We are funding six new global research projects into novel insulin

We are funding six new research projects into novel insulin worth over £2.7 million to transform type 1 diabetes treatment. 

This vital funding, delivered through the Type 1 Grand Challenge – our partnership with the Steve Morgan Foundation and JDRF – will speed up the development of insulins that mimic how a healthy pancreas works more closely, which could improve the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes. 

Developing novel insulins 

This announcement awards over £2.7 million to six new international research projects focused on developing next-generation insulins, also known as novel insulins.  

This crucial research, taking place at universities in the United States, Australia and China, aims to design insulins that act faster and more precisely, relieving some of the burden of managing type 1 diabetes and reducing the risk of diabetes complications. 

People with type 1 diabetes can’t make their own insulin, so they have to give themselves synthetic insulin several times each day to survive. But insulin is far from a cure for type 1 diabetes, and new forms of insulin are urgently needed. 

Why do we need new insulins? 

Blood sugar levels are affected by many factors including food intake, exercise, stress, other hormones, and even the weather.  

This complexity means that even with the best technology available, many people with type 1 diabetes experience big swings between high and low blood sugar levels.

The relentless struggle to manage these swings with existing insulins can be a huge mental burden for people living with type 1 diabetes. 

Glucose-responsive ‘smart’ insulins 

Four of these newly-funded projects involve scientists creating and testing novel insulin recipes that can respond to changing blood sugar levels, known as glucose-responsive insulins (GRIs).  

The insulin only starts working when there is a certain amount of sugar in the blood to tackle high levels, and switches off again when levels drop below a certain point, avoiding low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia. 

Ultra fast-acting insulin 

Researchers running a fifth project are developing a new ultrafast, short-acting insulin.  

Even with the fastest insulins currently available, there’s still a delay between injecting and the point it starts to act on sugar in the blood. This can result in blood sugar rising to dangerous levels before insulin can act to lower it.  

Faster insulins are also needed to improve insulin pumps and hybrid closed loop technology, systems that rely on the stored insulin responding in real time to changing blood sugar levels. 

Combining insulin and glucagon 

The final research project is focused on designing a protein that combines insulin with another hormone, glucagon.

Unlike insulin, which helps remove sugar from the blood, glucagon acts on the liver to release more sugar when levels in the blood run low. Having both hormones included in one insulin recipe could keep blood sugar levels stable by working to prevent both highs and lows. 

Dr Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said: 

“This much needed funding boost has the potential to revolutionise type 1 diabetes treatment. By supporting these ground-breaking research projects, we are aiming to develop new insulins that more closely mimic the body’s natural responses to changing blood sugar levels.  

“This could significantly reduce the daily challenges of managing type 1 diabetes, and improve both the physical and mental health of those living with the condition. We are hopeful that this research will lead to life-changing advancements in type 1 diabetes care.” 

Read more about the six new projects here.