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
1980
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.
1980
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
1980's
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).
1980's
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 more accurate 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 more accurate means of self-administering insulin when needed.
Easier and more accurate 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 more accurate means of self-administering 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 liraglutide 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.
