A new #insulin cream passes through skin and controls blood sugar without needles.
Delivering insulin through the skin has long been considered impossible because insulin molecules are large and strongly attracted to water, while the outer skin barrier is oily and tightly sealed.
New research challenges that assumption by showing how insulin can be carried across the skin using a specially engineered polymer.
Once inside the body, the insulin behaves like injected insulin, activating receptors and lowering blood glucose for many hours.
The effect was smooth and sustained, with no signs of inflammation in early tests.
While human trials are still needed, the findings suggest a future where insulin delivery could become painless and needle free - by Maham Zafar (Linkedin)
Research Paper
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09729-x
Delivering insulin through the skin has long been considered impossible because insulin molecules are large and strongly attracted to water, while the outer skin barrier is oily and tightly sealed.
New research challenges that assumption by showing how insulin can be carried across the skin using a specially engineered polymer.
Once inside the body, the insulin behaves like injected insulin, activating receptors and lowering blood glucose for many hours.
The effect was smooth and sustained, with no signs of inflammation in early tests.
While human trials are still needed, the findings suggest a future where insulin delivery could become painless and needle free - by Maham Zafar (Linkedin)
Research Paper
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09729-x
A new #insulin cream passes through skin and controls blood sugar without needles.
Delivering insulin through the skin has long been considered impossible because insulin molecules are large and strongly attracted to water, while the outer skin barrier is oily and tightly sealed.
New research challenges that assumption by showing how insulin can be carried across the skin using a specially engineered polymer.
Once inside the body, the insulin behaves like injected insulin, activating receptors and lowering blood glucose for many hours.
The effect was smooth and sustained, with no signs of inflammation in early tests.
While human trials are still needed, the findings suggest a future where insulin delivery could become painless and needle free - by Maham Zafar (Linkedin)
Research Paper 📄
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09729-x
