MannKind  announced that results of a new 16-week trial show that the investigational ultra rapid acting mealtime insulin, AFREZZA (insulin human [rDNA origin]) Inhalation Powder, combined with basal insulin, is clearly non-inferior to standard therapy insulin lispro, a rapid acting insulin (also combined with basal insulin), in reducing HbA1c levels in subjects with inadequately controlled type 1 diabetes. In addition, patients treated with AFREZZA had statistically significant...

MannKind Corp. announced the results of a two year study comparing the efficacy and safety of AFREZZA (insulin human [rDNA origin]) versus usual diabetes care. The study followed patients for a total of up to two years. The patients were randomly assigned to a treatment regimen of either AFREZZA plus subcutaneous basal insulin or usual diabetes treatment regimens of any insulin. At the end of two years, there was a comparable reduction in HbA1c levels (by 0.29% and 0.31% in the AFREZZA and usual care groups,...

Novo Nordisk announced today that it has initiated its first phase 1 clinical trial with an oral insulin analogue (NN1952). The aim of the trial, conducted in Germany, is to investigate the safety, tolerance, exposure of drug and effect of NN1952 oral insulin in healthy volunteers and people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Results from the trial, which plans to enroll about 80 people, are expected to be reported in the first half of 2011. There are many challenges with the development and production of a reliable insulin formulation...

Lars Sorensen, Novo’s chief executive, speaking at the Reuters Health Summit, said the company could introduce a oral insulin tablet to the market within six years. A number of companies have already tried to develop inhaled insulin, including Pfizer Inc, whose product Exubera, was discontinued in 2007.  This form of insulin has raised concerns that it could cause lung damage. The main challenge for scientists trying to develop insulin tablets is that insulin degrades quickly in the stomach, meaning only a very small amount...