Diabetes injections only needed three times a year

Engineers at Stanford University in the United States have developed a new hydrogel drug delivery system that may reduce the current daily or weekly injections of diabetes and weight loss drugs to once every four months. Researchers said the system will greatly improve patients' diabetes control and weight management. The relevant paper was published in the latest issue of the journal Cell Reports Medicine.

Stanford engineers develop an injectable hydrogel drug delivery system

Diabetes drugs or weight loss drugs work by mimicking glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Although they help manage diet and weight, they require daily or weekly injections, which is a burden for many patients. Researchers point out that compliance is one of the biggest challenges in the management of type 2 diabetes. Compliance means following the doctor's advice and taking hypoglycemic drugs on time and in the right amount every day. If only three injections are needed a year, it will be easier for patients with diabetes or obesity to stick to it.

The key to the newly developed hydrogel lies in the unique physical properties of its core nanoparticles. The hydrogel is formed by a network of polymer chains and nanoparticles. GLP-1 drug molecules are formulated into the hydrogel, and the network will wrap around the drug molecules. Over time, the network dissolves and the drug is released. This polymer nanoparticle hydrogel can be easily injected using a needle and remains in the body for 4 months.

The research team tested this drug delivery system on rats with great success. A single injection of this hydrogel improved their blood sugar status and controlled their weight, and the effect was comparable to that of daily injections of commercial drugs. And further research showed that this drug delivery system may be applicable to other drugs and diseases.

The research team plans to test the product in pigs next, as their skin and endocrine system are most similar to humans. If all goes according to plan, they will start human clinical trials within one and a half to two years.