Inhaled insulin has become popular for a while now, what with the introduction of Pfizer's Exubera® (insulin human [rDNA origin]) Inhalation Powder in the market - the first diabetes treatment that can be inhaled.

Indeed a saving grace to those with diabetes that would rather skip treatment than inject themselves with insulin.

While a pill form of insulin is currently being developed in research, inhaled insulin is the only other form of insulin available to diabetes patients.

Now, the pulmonary product development company - Vectura Group plc - went into a joint venture with MicroDose Technologies Inc. and QDose Limited for the development of a rapid acting, dry powder, insulin formulation designed to give highly efficient delivery from the MicroDose Electronic Inhaler.

Now, the said QDose inhaled insulin product went into a randomised, crossover, open-label glucose clamp study in order to confirm the high relative bioavailability of the QDose insulin formulation and to demonstrate its dose titration capability.

The results are so far very promising:

• The inhaled insulin formulation was safe and effective
• Peak levels of insulin activity were achieved more quickly following the inhaled insulin than those from the subcutaneous insulin injection
• Relative bioavailability of inhaled insulin was approximately 18% during the 3 hour period following dosing; higher than the published values for the currently marketed product
• Administration of the same total dose of inhaled insulin from either a single blister or two "half strength" blisters led to equivalent activity; an advantage over the currently marketed product

Well I guess it won't be long before other forms of insulin will become widely available for diabetes patients.

Source: Vectura Group Plc

[Photo Credit: npr.org]