In 1921, a team of Canadian researchers discovered the molecule
insulin and ignited a century of ground-breaking innovations in
diabetes care that have since saved countless lives.
Today, we are fortunate to have better medicines than ever, yet
the number of people living with diabetes continues to grow at an
alarming rate, placing a substantial burden on individuals, families
and societies.
Frederick Banting and Charles Best at the University of Toronto.
Researchers in Toronto successfully extract insulin from a dog’s
pancreas and test its effect, bringing hope for the first time to people
with diabetes.
Insulin: A breakthrough innovation
Researchers in Toronto successfully extract insulin from a dog’s
pancreas and test its effect, bringing hope for the first time to people
with diabetes.
Frederick Banting and Charles Best at the University of Toronto.
First life saved by insulin
Before and after images of a child with type 1 diabetes.
Leonard Thompson, a 14-year-old boy who weighed just over 29 kilos,
becomes the first person with diabetes to be treated with insulin. After
receiving injections of Banting and Best’s extract (described as a thick
brown muck), Leonard’s blood sugar drops.
First life saved by insulin
Leonard Thompson, a 14-year-old boy who weighed just over 29 kilos,
becomes the first person with diabetes to be treated with insulin. After
receiving injections of Banting and Best’s extract (described as a thick
brown muck), Leonard’s blood sugar drops.
Before and after images of a child with type 1 diabetes.
August and Marie Krogh
Insulin production begins in Scandinavia
1923
Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium commercialises the production of insulin
after the extraction and purification technique is brought back to
Denmark from Canada by August and Marie Krogh. With insulin, a person
diagnosed with diabetes now has a dramatically improved life expectancy.
1923
Insulin production begins in Scandinavia
Nordisk Insulinlaboratorium commercialises the production of insulin
after the extraction and purification technique is brought back to
Denmark from Canada by August and Marie Krogh. With insulin, a person
diagnosed with diabetes now has a dramatically improved life expectancy.
August and Marie Krogh
Novo Nordisk insulin production in the 1930s.
Hans Christian Hagedorn
NPH insulin decreases the burden of treatment
1946
Hans Christian Hagedorn discovers NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn)
insulin, which prolongs the effects of insulin and means that people
with diabetes can have fewer injections.
1946
NPH insulin decreases the burden of treatment
Hans Christian Hagedorn discovers NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn)
insulin, which prolongs the effects of insulin and means that people
with diabetes can have fewer injections.
Hans Christian Hagedorn
Novo Nordisk insulin production in the 1940s.
A new era in diabetes understanding
It becomes clear to researchers that there are several types of
diabetes, and that type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent. Medicine
innovation is now focused on addressing the distinct characteristics of
the different types of diabetes and developing medicines specifically
for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
A new era in diabetes understanding
It becomes clear to researchers that there are several types of
diabetes, and that type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent. Medicine
innovation is now focused on addressing the distinct characteristics of
the different types of diabetes and developing medicines specifically
for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Ames Reflectance Meter
Portable glucose meter simplifies diabetes monitoring
1970s
Practical self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is now possible with
portable glucose meters, making it easier for people living with
diabetes to manage their condition by using test strips at home.
1970s
Portable glucose meter simplifies diabetes monitoring
Practical self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is now possible with
portable glucose meters, making it easier for people living with
diabetes to manage their condition by using test strips at home.
Ames Reflectance Meter
Laboratory in Bagsværd, Denmark.
HbA1C
in clinical practice
1970s
HbA1C
– the average blood glucose level during the past 120 days – becomes
the primary means of assessing blood glucose management and enables
physicians to critically assess the impact of lifestyle changes and
medication on long-term health outcomes.
1970s
HbA1C
in clinical practice
HbA1C
– the average blood glucose level during the past 120 days – becomes
the primary means of assessing blood glucose management and enables
physicians to critically assess the impact of lifestyle changes and
medication on long-term health outcomes.
Laboratory in Bagsværd, Denmark.
First commercially available human insulin
1982
Insulin becomes the first therapeutic protein to be created using
recombinant DNA technology. This ‘human insulin’ is identical to the
insulin produced by our bodies, is highly purified and can be produced
in unlimited quantities, greatly expanding access for people with
diabetes.
1982
First commercially available human insulin
Insulin becomes the first therapeutic protein to be created using
recombinant DNA technology. This ‘human insulin’ is identical to the
insulin produced by our bodies, is highly purified and can be produced
in unlimited quantities, greatly expanding access for people with
diabetes.
Patient with an insulin pump.
The first “mini” insulin pump
1983
First developed in the 1960s, insulin pumps become widely available in
the 1980s, ensuring people with diabetes can benefit from having their
insulin released as and when required throughout the day. In the future,
many will even work in concert with continuous glucose monitoring
systems (CGM).
1983
The first “mini” insulin pump
First developed in the 1960s, insulin pumps become widely available in
the 1980s, ensuring people with diabetes can benefit from having their
insulin released as and when required throughout the day. In the future,
many will even work in concert with continuous glucose monitoring
systems (CGM).
Patient with an insulin pump.
Easier and safer management – the first insulin pen
The Novo Syringe from 1925 and the first NovoPen® device from 1985.
The first insulin pen improves quality of life for people living with
diabetes by eliminating the need for cumbersome glass syringes. Finally,
people have a discrete and precise means of self-administering the right
dose of insulin when needed.
Easier and safer management – the first insulin pen
The first insulin pen improves quality of life for people living with
diabetes by eliminating the need for cumbersome glass syringes. Finally,
people have a discrete and precise means of self-administering the right
dose of insulin when needed.
The Novo Syringe from 1925 and the first NovoPen® device from 1985.
Introduction of first generation insulin analogues
1996
Insulin analogues – a range of rapid-acting, long-acting and premixed
formulations – are created to more closely mimic the body’s natural
pattern of releasing insulin. Analogue insulins have modifications that
ensure more predictable absorption, making it easier for people to plan
around mealtimes, avoid low blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of
weight gain.
1996
Introduction of first generation insulin analogues
Insulin analogues – a range of rapid-acting, long-acting and premixed
formulations – are created to more closely mimic the body’s natural
pattern of releasing insulin. Analogue insulins have modifications that
ensure more predictable absorption, making it easier for people to plan
around mealtimes, avoid low blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of
weight gain.
InDuo combination insulin delivery device and blood sugar monitor from 2001.
First CGM system approved
1999
The first continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device for reading blood
glucose levels is approved by the FDA, bringing hope to people with
diabetes who want to gain more control over their health.
1999
First CGM system approved
The first continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device for reading blood
glucose levels is approved by the FDA, bringing hope to people with
diabetes who want to gain more control over their health.
InDuo combination insulin delivery device and blood sugar monitor from 2001.
Beyond insulin: new treatment options for type 2 diabetes
2005
Treatment options take type 2 diabetes care beyond blood sugar control
with the introduction of GLP-1 agonists and, later, SGLT-2 inhibitors.
The GLP-1 class of medicines reduce blood sugar levels by enhancing the
natural secretion of insulin while also reducing appetite and food
intake.
2005
Beyond insulin: new treatment options for type 2 diabetes
Treatment options take type 2 diabetes care beyond blood sugar control
with the introduction of GLP-1 agonists and, later, SGLT-2 inhibitors.
The GLP-1 class of medicines reduce blood sugar levels by enhancing the
natural secretion of insulin while also reducing appetite and food
intake.
Novo Nordisk R&D GLP-1, 2008.
Introduction of new generation insulin analogues
Ayşe Naz Baykal has type 1 diabetes and lives in Turkey.
With their enhanced profiles, new generation insulin analogues offer
greater flexibility and reduce the daily burden of diabetes care.
Ultra-long action insulins reduce the number of injections and the risk
of hypoglycaemia by releasing the medication very slowly, while
ultra-fast action insulins offer convenience by reducing the need for
planning around mealtimes.
Introduction of new generation insulin analogues
With their enhanced profiles, new generation insulin analogues offer
greater flexibility and reduce the daily burden of diabetes care.
Ultra-long action insulins reduce the number of injections and the risk
of hypoglycaemia by releasing the medication very slowly, while
ultra-fast action insulins offer convenience by reducing the need for
planning around mealtimes.
Ayşe Naz Baykal has type 1 diabetes and lives in Turkey.
Discovering and developing new protein and peptide-based therapies.
First oral GLP-1 treatment for type 2 diabetes
2019
A major breakthrough that further expands treatment options and reduces
barriers, this innovative tablet eliminates the need for injections with
GLP-1 – a welcome relief for many people living with type 2 diabetes.
2019
First oral GLP-1 treatment for type 2 diabetes
A major breakthrough that further expands treatment options and reduces
barriers, this innovative tablet eliminates the need for injections with
GLP-1 – a welcome relief for many people living with type 2 diabetes.
Discovering and developing new protein and peptide-based therapies.
Mandy Marquardt has type 1 diabetes, rides for Team Novo Nordisk and
lives in the USA.
2021 and beyond
What’s next?
As we look toward the future, we see new treatment and device
innovations that will bring greater flexibility and a more holistic
approach to diabetes care. Once-weekly basal insulins, glucose-sensitive
and cardio-protective insulins, next generation oral treatments, new
digital health solutions, transformational stem-cell therapies and even
the hope for curative treatment someday are all part of our effort to
defeat diabetes.
2021 and beyond
What’s next?
As we look toward the future, we see new treatment and device
innovations that will bring greater flexibility and a more holistic
approach to diabetes care. Once-weekly basal insulins, glucose-sensitive
and cardio-protective insulins, next generation oral treatments, new
digital health solutions, transformational stem-cell therapies and even
the hope for curative treatment someday are all part of our effort to
defeat diabetes.
