Oramed is developing a soft gel insulin capsule for the treatment of diabetes. The company has recently announced it the successful completion of its clinical trial demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the oral insulin gel capsule.

The pills were shown to reduce blood sugar, with no significant adverse effects. The insulin used in the gel caps is a generic brand of human insulin. The duration of the insulin is similar to Regular. But the most beautiful thing about these gel caps is that they reintroduce the liver into glucose metabolism, thereby reducing the likelihood of dangerous lows associated with injected insulin and oral medications. This could blow away the necessity of blood sugar testing because you are regulating glucose metabolism in the liver, like a person without diabetes.

Up until now, the idea of insulin pills or tablets was inconceivable due to the fact that insulin, when swallowed, breaks down in the digestive system. Oramed's patented technology overcame the problem of digestion as well as permeability to the intestine. The company's goal is for the completion of formal Phase 1 studies in the US by mid-2008. Sign me up!

Pfizer's bandwagon might be busted! Turns-out a study says inhaled human insulin, whether formulated as a powder or liquid, is more immunogenic than injected insulin.

Adverse effects of antibody formation have not been thoroughly investigated. But it was shown, comparatively, that inhaled insulin provokes more of an immune response than injections. Spitting is a dirty habit - but it's not good for nothing. The mucosal defense system is the body's primary line of defense against inhaled foreign matter - kind of like the MARINES of the human body. It is uniquely able to discern self from non-self bodies. So far - it looks like Pfizer's toker is a no go.

As I said before - the adverse events have not been thoroughly investigated. Until we know exactly what kind of mucosal revenge or pulmonary punishment lies ahead - I'd stick to the tried and true...subQ, for now. However the Generex Oral-lyn human trials are looking pretty promising. Stay tuned.

Phosphagenics Limited is developing a skin gel that administers insulin. They are currently testing the effect of long-acting insulin in the patented formula.

Research has demonstrated that a single application of the insulin gel rapidly delivered insulin into the bloodstream without any adverse reactions. Additionally, it significantly lowered blood glucose, insulin and c-peptide levels.

The company has been working on improving drug effectiveness and cost efficiency through a process called phosphorylation. Many enzymes and receptors are switched "on" or "off" by phosphorylation, including the glucose lowering properties of insulin. Once inside the skin -- enzymes activate these properties, impacting the blood sugar. This does not cause irritation to the skin, allows for a sustained release of medication in just one application, begins to take effect within an hour of application, can be used with many forms of prescriptions (small and large molecule medicines), and is economical to produce.

If it significantly reduced c-peptide levels, this might be more appropriate for type 2 diabetics - for a temporary basis. Judging by numbers, majority rules and since 80% of diabetics are type 2...this could be a feather in the capitalists cap for pain-free insulin delivery. However, if blood sugar control becomes as easy as a handi-wipe, how motivated will anyone be to eat right and exercise? Wash your hands for dinner, please.

Scientists in Taiwan reported success in early tests of oral insulin in diabetic rats. The study showed the insulin pill combination reached the rats' bloodstream and lowered their blood glucose levels.

Insulin is a pure protein and therefore must be protected from the digestive enzymes in the stomach and small intestine. Scientists found that chitosan, a chemical derived from the shells of shrimp, crabs, and lobsters allowed insulin to reach the blood stream without degradation. Chitosan encapsulation provided a protective barrier for the insulin while traveling through the stomach and small intestine.

An oral drug would be the most convenient way of delivering insulin. No more needles, no syringe - brought to you by chitosan! It almost rhymes -- but nonetheless, it's music to my ears.

Solianis Monitoring AG has devised a non-invasive concept to provide a potential solution to the burnout of one too many when it comes to testing blood sugar. Physicians typically recommend checking sugars anywhere between three to ten times a day (and sometimes more). Given the pain and inconvenience of the traditional glucose reading method, there is little wonder why many diabetics monitor their glucose levels less than twice a day.

Checking glucose levels throughout the day can become head-banging. Sorry for the pun, but it defines the ac/dc approach perfectly. As your glucose levels change, so do the electrolyte levels in your blood. There is a direct correlation between the movement of glucose and sodium (electrolytes) that can be used to measure blood glucose non-invasively. For those of you science buffs, this is called impedance spectroscopy. And yes, you've heard about it before. Previous generations of non-invasive glucose monitoring devices failed to meet FDA standards because their results were not considered accurate. With this device, a morning blood sugar reading can calibrate the non-invasive monitor for a full days worth of tracking. This device uses measurements of temperature, moisture, and pressure within the skin to determine the movement of blood glucose.

An NIH (National Institute of Health) study confirmed that impedance spectroscopy is a viable way of tracking glucose variations. A finger stick is still needed to initially calibrate and perform a daily baseline adjustment. Although it is not a total replacement for the blood thirsty machines we've seen for decades, this design provides an option to continuously monitor changes in glucose levels with only 1 finger stick. Checking sugars once a day, producing accurate results, and measuring trends in glucose reading throughout the day non-invasively: that's convenience I can handle.