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...