In a recent breakthrough study published in Nature, researchers have introduced NNC2215, a novel insulin conjugate that may revolutionize diabetes care. Unlike traditional insulin, NNC2215 is engineered with glucose-binding macrocycles and glucosides, enabling it to adjust its activity based on glucose levels. This “smart” insulin could significantly reduce the risk of hypoglycemia by limiting its activity at low glucose levels and increasing it by up to 3.2 times as blood glucose rises.
Tests in laboratory settings and animal models, including mice and pigs, demonstrated that NNC2215 effectively mirrors the glucose-responsive behavior of natural insulin, offering safe and efficient glucose regulation without hypoglycemic episodes. Results showed NNC2215’s optimal activity in glucose concentrations ranging from 3.9 mM to 30 mM—levels common in diabetes patients—and outperformed previous glucose-sensitive insulin technologies.
As reported by news-medical.net, the research also highlighted that, in diabetic-like pigs, NNC2215 maintained stable glucose levels after glucose infusions stopped, unlike conventional insulin degludec, which led to a hypoglycemic dip below 3 mM. These findings suggest that NNC2215 could replace the need for frequent blood glucose monitoring and allow for more precise dosing without increasing hypoglycemia risk.
According to study authors, NNC2215’s responsive, self-regulating capabilities offer a promising future for diabetes care, potentially allowing patients to achieve better glucose control without the risk of dangerous drops in blood sugar.