Type 1 diabetics need to inject insulin regularly to control their glucose levels, but run the risk of injecting too much leading to dangerously low glucose concentrations. Insulins that adjust their activity could be much safer.

The work originated with the design and synthesis of “GluHUT” (Glucose-Binding Hexaurea Temple), a remarkably effective glucose receptor, in the group of Professor Anthony Davis. This discovery was commercialised through spin-out company Ziylo, which was sold to Novo Nordisk in 2018.

A new company, Carbometrics, was founded as a successor to Ziylo, and worked with Novo Nordisk to develop the insulin as reported in the paper. Several of the authors on the paper are alumni of the School of Chemistry, including Andy Chapman, Chief Executive Officer of Carbometrics, and Rob Tromans, who made the first sample of GluHUT.

The research demonstrates the concept of glucose sensitive insulin and shows that it can be effective in animals, a step towards developing a version for use in humans.