Squeezing insulin under the skin

IDEA AG researchers are close to accomplishing a holy grail of insulin delivery by demonstrating for the first time that insulin can be delivered through the skin without gadgets or causing irritation. The company has reported that non-invasive topical delivery of insulin using its biocompatible Transfersomes has been achieved at levels and duration that compare favorably with conventional subcutaneous administration of long-acting (ultra lente) insulin.

In a double-blind, single-dose crossover study in 10 patients with Type I diabetes, there were no significant differences in either blood glucose response or free insulin availability in serum for up to 12 hours between IDEA's Transfersulin and subcutaneous administration of long-acting insulin (see B9). ...