Oral insulin treatment could be on the way for people with type 2 diabetes

Medication being trialled offers a potential alternative treatment for people living with the condition to lower blood sugar levels.

An initial phase of testing has reported success in reducing blood sugar levels of people living with type 2 diabetes with an oral insulin treatment.

The treatment, which comes in the form of a tablet, has the potential to be the first commercial oral insulin capsule for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. 

Over a 90-day dose-ranging trial researchers at Oramed who are developing the treatment, looked to reduce the HbA1c in people living with the condition.

Nadav Kidron, Chief Executive Officer at Oramed in New York, said: “Our lead oral insulin program could be a major advancement for the diabetes community as we believe it should offer a healthier way to treat type 2 diabetes.”

Until now, insulin is only available via injection or an inhaler.

The proposed treatment could become the first commercial oral insulin capsule available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Researchers found that many people with diabetes in the US were cutting back on insulin due to its high cost.

In addition, further studies estimated that at least 25% of people with diabetes were not taking the insulin prescribed to them. 

Mr Kidron suggested that the cost of the insulin pill would be significantly lower (by tens of percent) than the cost of insulin injections. 

Further trials are set to continue.

Mr Kidron added: “Our oral insulin might even become the first to reach commercialisation.”

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